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I live in AUS and realised that I had never experienced any movies in IMAX before, and the new movie Project hail Mary is in IMAX, so I figured I should just go watch that because all of the reviews seem fantastic. But I'm a bit confused because there if definitely a IMAX theatre in Sydney but this list is saying its not: [https://screenrant.com/oppenheimer-imax-70mm-theaters-list/](https://screenrant.com/oppenheimer-imax-70mm-theaters-list/) and then I learnt that Sydney doesn't have a "70mm screen" (I don't know what that means) but this post here says it does: [https://www.listnook.com/r/interstellar/comments/1jopar4/just\_watched\_the\_imax\_70mm\_release\_in\_sydney\_mind/](https://www.listnook.com/r/interstellar/comments/1jopar4/just_watched_the_imax_70mm_release_in_sydney_mind/) But it seems that Melbourne definitely does, but Sydney does as well/or use to I'm not really sure. So can anyone clarify if Sydney has a 70mm screen or, whatever screen it does have, and is it comparable to the one in Melbourne?

21 Comments

NickLandis Mar 26, 2026 +15

Sydney’s IMAX has the 1.43:1 tall screen people associate with 70mm imax, but it doesn’t have a 70mm projector anymore. They re-constructed the theater a few years ago. It is digital only now, but they still have the GT laser projectors meaning they can projector full screen movies like *Project Hail Mary* Melbourne has both a 70mm projector and the GT Laser projectors, but in the case of *Project Hail Mary*, they never received a 70mm print, so Melbourne and Sydney will be showing it the same way. Melbourne is slightly bigger than Sydney but they are very close so I would just pick whichever is closest for Project Hail Mary I would recommend going to Melbourne for *The Odyssey* this summer so you can watch it on 70mm https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1cyI-fqsYDf8W5tX-uM8a96Dmhgv_vhw&usp=sharing

Desperate-Taro-8748 Mar 26, 2026 +3

Interesting Thanks for that and nice map

cinematic_flight Mar 26, 2026 +3

I don’t know Sydney cinemas, but just throwing it out there that IMAX doesn’t necessarily mean 70mm. There’s only a select few venues that project an analogue 70mm film print onto a 1.43:1 screen. The rest are usually digital laser projectors that are still «IMAX certified», but a digital 1.90:1 projection.

Desperate-Taro-8748 Mar 26, 2026 +1

what does that mean? The screen is smaller? or lower res

WoodyMellow Mar 28, 2026 +1

Since no-one answered you (and really all the information was in the above post , so not sure what else you need) : IMAX is a 7Omm celluloid film format shot and projected at a specific aspect ratiousing special cameras and projectors. The size of the frame and it's ration allow the image to be projected onto huge screens that are almost as tall as they are wide. IMAX, the owner of the brand, allowed certain cinemas to use the brand name for digital exhibition under certain specifications. However despite being permitted to use the name these digital versions (often called LIE-Max) are far from the experience or impact of true 7Omm IMAX. Yes the screen isn't as big and because it's a digital image projected in a very large screen its often possible to see the pixel grid..

[deleted] Mar 26, 2026 +3

[deleted]

ah ok i did wonder why people would flock to the Melbourne one

pop-1988 Mar 26, 2026 +3

The Sydney IMAX cinema closed in 2016 Oppenheimer was released in July, 2023 The new Sydney IMAX cinema opened in November, 2023 That's why Sydney isn't mentioned in the July, 2023 screenrant article It's not a 70mm IMAX

LimeLimpet Mar 26, 2026 +2

I was looking at this last year and I feel like there was an IMAX advertised in Sydney but when I looked into it there was some reason it wasn't a 'true' IMAX.

WoodyMellow Mar 26, 2026 +2

It is.

There is certainly a real IMAX theatre in Sydney. Recently rebuilt in the same Darling Harbour location as the old one. It s run by Event Cinemas so use their app for tickets. A couple of caveats however: 1. Last I checked pretty much all of the OHM IMAX sessions were mostly sold out. 2. Even though the new theatre has a bigger screen, the seating is terribly designed. If you can't book a seat in the back 1/2, or better yet, back 1/3 of the auditorium then dont bother. You won't have a good time. .

dedokta Mar 26, 2026 +2

The bad seating has prevented me from going to see a film at the new IMAX. Apparently it's almost impossible to watch a film unless you're in the last 4 rows or something.

It's insane. Even up the back you feel pretty close. When Dune 2 was playing apparently they were refunding a 20% of tickets. Not sure how they handle it now. The old one was perfect.

I always looked a the oddly shaped building with a W on the side and never realised it was the IMAX theatre. And, effectively, there are no enjoyable seats left in any of the days they are showing in syd. I never really though about it selling out but oh well. Maybe next time

Javerage Mar 26, 2026 +2

As someone that does most of my movie watching af IMAX Sydney, I gotta tell ya, it's great. You don't hear people cause it's so big, and there's late night showing so no horrible children most of the times.

Dagwood3 Mar 27, 2026 +1

I saw predator badlands at Sydney IMAX and the sound was deafening which meant the people talking during the trailers and parts of the film had to yell

JaYashi__ Mar 26, 2026 +1

[r/imax](https://www.listnook.com/r/imax/s/JXweVhJE28) will be a better place to get the answers you seek.

oh i didnt realise there was a sublistnook. But questions were answered here anyways

Seagoon_Memoirs Mar 26, 2026 +1

I saw it at IMAX Melbourne, it was awesome I saw it at a small indie cinema too, it was awesome. Just watch the movie, it's awesome

Desperate-Taro-8748 Mar 26, 2026 +2

I think im just going to watch it at a local one with a few friends, even if its not imax reviews seem really good

elferrydavid Mar 26, 2026 -2

r/askanaustralian

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IMAX Sydney and Melbourne

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21 Comments