IMAX Sydney
Map
Former namesPanasonic IMAX
Address1/35 Wheat Rd
Sydney
Australia
Coordinates33°52′30″S 151°12′03″E / 33.874886°S 151.200775°E / -33.874886; 151.200775
Opened1996
Website
https://www.eventcinemas.com.au/Cinema/IMAX-Sydney

IMAX Sydney is an IMAX movie theatre in Darling Harbour, Sydney, Australia. It is the second largest IMAX theatre in the southern hemisphere,[a] and the third largest in the world.[b] It is operated by Event Cinemas and is located within The Ribbon. It features IMAX's dual laser projector.[1]

History

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In 1995, after 18 months of negotiations with the Darling Harbour Authority, Cinema Plus Pty Ltd received approval to construct IMAX Sydney. The cinema featured an eight storey screen with the capacity to seat 540 people, and its construction cost $18 million AUD.[2]

The cinema opened on 26 September 1996.[3][4] At the time of opening, it featured a 40m x 30m[5] screen, as well as an IMAX 15/70 projector. The cinema opened with a party that was attended by 700 guests who viewed a screening of the film The Living Sea.[4][5]

In 2012, a new 29.7m x 35.7m screen was installed at a cost of $250,000.[6]

On 25 September 2016, the cinema was demolished in order to make way for a new complex called The Ribbon that was planned to open in 2019.[7]

On 11 October 2023, after 4 years of delays, the cinema reopened with a screening of Avatar: The Way of Water.[8][1] After its reopening, the cinema featured 325 seats and IMAX dual laser projection system, as well as a 12 Channel sound system and a 29m x 24m screen.[9][10][11]

Comparison to other IMAX theatres in Australia

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Currently, there is only one other IMAX theatre in Australia, which is IMAX Melbourne. Compared to IMAX Melbourne, IMAX Sydney is smaller in both capacity and screen size, and also lacks a 15/70 projector which IMAX Melbourne has. However, IMAX currently has plans to open up to 40 more theatres in Australia.[12][13][14]

Notes

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  1. ^ The largest IMAX theatre in the southern hemisphere is located in Melbourne, Australia
  2. ^ The largest IMAX theatre in the world is located in Leonberg, Germany.

References

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  1. ^ a b Maddox, Garry (9 October 2023). "After seven years, Sydney's IMAX is reopening, just in time for Taylor Swift". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  2. ^ HARLEY and AAP, R (1995) 'Eight-storey cinema for Darling Harbour', Australian Financial Review, The (Australia), 29 Aug, p. 39, (online NewsBank).
  3. ^ Apps, Jamie (6 June 2023). "IMAX Sydney Set To Reopen". Neighbourhood Media. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  4. ^ a b Crayford, P (1996) 'Larger than life', Australian Financial Review, The (Australia), 4 Oct, p. 14, (online NewsBank).
  5. ^ a b SUSSKIND, A (1996) 'World's largest screen gives cinemagoers B-I-G picture', Sydney Morning Herald, The (Australia), 11 Sep, p. 7, (online NewsBank).
  6. ^ "World's biggest movie screen - 29.7m high and 35.7m wide - installed at Sydney Imax". 10 February 2012.
  7. ^ Maddox, Garry (24 August 2016). "Sydney IMAX cinema at Darling Harbour to be demolished". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  8. ^ Ward, Sarah (9 October 2023). "Literally Huge: Sydney's IMAX Is Finally Reopening with One of the Biggest Cinema Screens in the World". Concrete Playground. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  9. ^ Woodley, Melissa. "The IMAX has reopened in Sydney – with the third largest movie screen in the world".
  10. ^ Bucklow, Andrew. "IMAX Sydney has one of the world's biggest cinema screens".
  11. ^ "Sydney IMAX theatre finally reopening after seven-year renovation". www.9news.com.au. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  12. ^ "IMAX wants 40 screens in Australia by 2029 | ScreenHub Australia - Film & Television Jobs, News, Reviews & Screen Industry Data". www.screenhub.com.au. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  13. ^ Keast, Jackie (14 March 2024). "IMAX outlines its ambitious plans for Australia". IF Magazine. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
  14. ^ Weintraub, Steven; Jones, Tamera (20 May 2024). "IMAX Reveals Their Ambitious 6-Year Plan to Expand Across the Globe". Collider. Retrieved 24 June 2024.