What makes IMAX theaters different from ordinary cinemas
IMAX is enjoying a surge in popularity as blockbusters like Christopher Nolan's new film sell out exclusive screens for months. Its unique technology and a shortage of projectors are what make tickets so hard to come by.
IMAX theaters are experiencing an unusual wave of enthusiasm lately, with big releases such as Christopher Nolan's latest film selling out exclusive screenings months in advance. But the gap between an IMAX theater and a standard multiplex goes far beyond a bigger screen.
A different technology, a different image
IMAX uses distinct aspect ratios — 1.90:1 for digital presentations and 1.43:1 for film projection — making its screens both larger and proportionally taller than conventional theaters. In its largest 70mm venues, screens can reach roughly 59 feet tall and 79 feet wide. For movies actually shot on IMAX cameras, audiences aren't just seeing a blown-up picture but a genuinely different image, since directors must adjust lenses, lighting and sound design during filming itself so the footage works well in both IMAX and standard theaters.
Most IMAX auditoriums rely on digital projection, including newer laser systems that improve resolution and color. Still, the most prized experience remains IMAX's 70mm film format, projected horizontally with triple the usual number of frame perforations to boost image sharpness. Each of these massive film prints reportedly costs around $80,000 to produce.
Why tickets are so scarce
While overall box office revenue in 2025 remained below pre-pandemic levels, IMAX itself posted its best year ever, with sales up roughly 40 percent. The company operates about 1,800 screens worldwide, but only 41 support its premium 70mm format, forcing many film fans to travel long distances to see a movie that way.
The core problem is a projector shortage: IMAX hasn't manufactured a new 70mm film projector in about 50 years, and the industry's shift to digital eroded the technical know-how and spare parts needed to build new ones. Instead, the company refurbishes old units, which only around 90 trained projectionists worldwide know how to operate. Even so, eleven new 70mm theaters have opened since 2023, and recent blockbuster success suggests more are on the way.
