We want movie theaters to stay in business, but there’s no denying that the experience of watching movies and shows at home is getting better and better. That’s part of the reason theater chains are offering more perks these days, including discounted tickets, food service right at your seat, and premium formats like Dolby Cinema (DC) and IMAX. If you’re a summer blockbuster fanatic, paying a little extra for a DC or IMAX screening is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the world of film.
But what exactly is the difference between DC and IMAX, anyway? And which of the two offers a better quality experience? It ultimately depends on which audiovisual elements are most important to you. Overall, Dolby Cinema is the better option if you care more about enhanced colors and contrast, as the format uses Dolby Vision HDR to deliver striking picture quality. DC also uses Dolby Atmos for 360-degree object-based audio that puts you right in the heart of the action.
If you’re more interested in seeing a movie on the biggest screen possible, IMAX is the way to go. The format was originally used for nature documentaries in the 1960s, but has evolved over the years into the renowned and prestigious format that the IMAX name represents. Unlike DC screens, IMAX is floor-to-ceiling in scale, with many screens large enough to support the native 1.43:1 aspect ratio that IMAX is known for.
Not all IMAX theaters use IMAX screens, so enthusiasts have coined a derogatory term to denounce the fakes.
Although an IMAX theater can show films that aren’t shot on IMAX equipment, watching an official “Filmed for IMAX” movie is an experience that’s hard to beat. This certification means that filmmakers shot or framed the film with IMAX’s expanded 1.90:1 or 1.43:1 aspect ratios in mind, with 1.90:1 scenes providing up to 26% more screen real estate. There are also three types of IMAX projection: IMAX with laser (4K), IMAX Xenon (2K) and IMAX 70mm. If you know for a fact that a film you’re interested in has received the “Filmed for IMAX” award, make every effort to watch it in an IMAX laser theater or on 70mm.
IMAX enthusiasts have also coined the term “Liemax” to describe an IMAX-certified theater that does not support the 1.43:1 aspect ratio. The screens in these theaters are typically larger than those found in a traditional movie theater, but they are not tall enough to accommodate the 1.43:1 aspect ratio. Liemax also tends to ignore 4K UHD resolution in favor of 2K resolution, and even the theater’s sound system isn’t as immersive as what you’d hear in a real IMAX theater.
Dolby Cinema and IMAX also specialize beyond the audiovisual world. Comfortable lounge seating and sleek recliners are staples of the former, while the latter opts for stadium-style seating to ensure everyone has a great place for the show from floor to ceiling and wall to wall. If you’re watching a DC-certified movie, sit in the middle row, toward the center seats, for better audio immersion; For IMAX viewings, middle is fine, but due to the screen size you may want to sit closer than usual.
