where are the 70mm imax theaters
There are only a few dozen true 15/70 (70mm) IMAX film screens left worldwide as of 2025–2026, and they change occasionally when systems are upgraded or decommissioned.
Quick Scoop
For context:
- “70mm IMAX” usually means 15-perf 70mm film (often called 15/70), not standard 5‑perf 70mm used in roadshow prints of films like “Dunkirk.”
- These giant-format IMAX screens are now rare because many venues have converted to digital or laser.
Examples of 70mm IMAX theaters
Not a complete list, but some well-known or recently mentioned 15/70-capable IMAX venues include:
- AMC Lincoln Square 13 (New York, NY, USA) – classic “GT” 15/70 auditorium.
- AMC Metreon 16 (San Francisco, CA, USA) – large-format IMAX with 15/70 history.
- AMC Universal CityWalk (Universal City/Los Angeles, CA, USA) – GT-style IMAX screen.
- Esquire IMAX Theatre (Sacramento, CA, USA).
- IMAX Theater at Indiana State Museum (Indianapolis, IN, USA).
- Various science centers and museums like McWane Center (Birmingham, AL), US Space & Rocket Center (Huntsville, AL), and others listed in long‑format theater indexes.
- Newer additions like Rochester’s Tinseltown (NY) and sites in Colorado Springs and Chicago have been announced as getting 70mm IMAX film capability.
Because this list is actively changing, enthusiasts often track it via fan- maintained lists, specialty 70mm sites, and large-format theater directories.
Where to check right now
Since I can’t live-query up-to-the-minute showtime databases for you, the most reliable way to find where 70mm IMAX prints are actually playing near you is:
- Look up fan or specialty lists
- Long-format and 70mm sites keep updated pages of film-capable venues in North America and worldwide.
* Forum threads and fan lists (for example, posts created around big 70mm releases) often enumerate current 15/70 IMAX locations.
- Cross-check specific movie releases
- When a high‑profile film gets a 15/70 IMAX release, studios or film‑buff outlets often publish a “full list of 70mm IMAX locations” for that specific title.
* These lists are usually the most accurate snapshot of **which** 70mm IMAX screens are not only equipped, but actually being used.
- Verify directly with theaters
- Go to a theater’s official site and look for mentions of “15/70 film,” “IMAX 70mm film,” or specific 70mm engagements.
- If it just says “IMAX with Laser” or “IMAX Digital,” that usually means no 70mm film, even if the screen is big.
Why it’s a trending topic
Film fans are talking more about “where are the 70mm IMAX theaters” because:
- Big directors still occasionally shoot or finish in 15/70 IMAX, turning each release into an “event” hunt for the right screen.
- The number of film-capable IMAX venues is shrinking, so people compare digital/laser vs. 70mm experiences and lament how rare the format has become.
- Forum discussions often include technical deep dives (film platters, reel systems, maintenance vs. laser, etc.), underscoring how specialized these setups are.
TL;DR
There is no single permanent, official public list that is always accurate, but only a few dozen theaters worldwide still run true 15/70 IMAX film, including flagship sites like AMC Lincoln Square (NYC), AMC Metreon (SF), Universal CityWalk (LA), select museum/science-center IMAXes, and a handful of newly upgraded multiplexes. For the latest and most accurate info, always cross‑check a fan-maintained 70mm/IMAX list with the specific movie’s official 70mm IMAX theater roster and the theater’s own website. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.