Sydney's IMAX reopens at Darling Harbour - Australasian Leisure Management

Sydney’s IMAX reopens at Darling Harbour

October 11, 2023

Seven years after its closure the rebuilt IMAX at Sydney's Darling Harbour has reopened delivering one of the biggest cinema screens in the world.

With a massive 692 metre² metre screen, the new Darling Harbour IMAX offers a 1.43 picture ratio, giving viewers in the 430 seat venue an image designed to enhance the movie experience.

Opened on Wednesday, the screen, which is slightly smaller than IMAX Melbourne, the world's largest, will be showing Top Gun: Maverick, Barbie, Oppenheimer and Taylor Swift's Eras concert tour movie in its opening week.

Closed in 2016, with the building subsequently demolished, the venue first set to reopen in 2019, then 2021, before its opening this week with IMAX's most-advanced ever theatre experience, spanning 4K laser projection using a system with a new optical engine and custom-designed lenses. Thanks to a range of proprietary technology, viewers can expect the images to be brighter with increased resolution, deeper contrast and the widest range of colours that IMAX has previously seen. Sound is delivered through a 12-channel system.

Run by EVT - the hospitality company behind Event Cinemas, Moonlight Cinema, the Skyline Drive-In and the State Theatre; the arrival of surround-screen viewing Down Under; QT Hotels, Rydges and other hotel chains; plus IMAX venues in Auckland and Queensgate in New Zealand, as well as IMAX Karlsruhe in Germany - moviegoers have four choices when it comes to seating - with the seats provided and installed by Camatic Seating.

In addition to standard seats, guests can chose a full recliner, a couples' recliner or chose a private box for up to four people.

The latter is perched on an elevated platform, and comes with exclusive food and beverage options.

Commenting on the opening, EVT Chief Executive, Jane Hastings stated “the opening of IMAX Sydney showcases EVT's commitment to bringing world class entertainment experiences to Australia. With Laser by IMAX, our new seating options, and our food and beverage offering, we are setting a new benchmark for immersive cinema entertainment that captivates the senses.”

IMAX Chief Executive, Rich Gelfond added “we are very excited to partner with EVT for our long-awaited opening of IMAX Sydney in Darling Harbour, which is historically one of our best performing locations globally and a cultural centre of this beautiful city.

"IMAX Sydney immediately joins the ranks of our flagship locations and, with its state-of-the-art IMAX technology, breathtaking design and Event Cinemas renowned cinema expertise, is a shining example of what the theatrical experience should aspire to."

6th October 2023 - Merlin Entertainments partners with Immersive Gamebox to bring interactive smart gaming rooms to Darling Harbour

7th September 2023 - Apparent error sees Accor hotel group offer tickets for Taylor Swift’s 2024 Sydney concerts

23rd August 2023 - Gold Coast Council gives approval for new 600-room hotel at Warner Bros. Movie World

24th June 2023 - Taylor Swift tour to boost the economy and physical activity?

28th March 2023 - Camatic unveils world’s first recycled plastic stadium seat

11th May 2022 - Perth’s Rooftop Movies secured for another three years

6th November 2018 - Darling Harbour Precinct Transformation Receives Urban Design Award

21st February 2018 - Five-star wellness at Sydney’s Sofitel Darling Harbour

30th May 2017 - ICC Sydney lights up Darling Harbour during Vivid Sydney

21st September 2016 - IMAX Sydney winds down as demolition approaches

9th December 2015 - Hotel development to replace IMAX Sydney

30th August 2015 - Transformed Goods Line walkway connects Sydney’s Railway Square to Darling Harbour

1st August 2014 - Shanghai Film Corp to build 19 IMAX cinemas across China

6th December 2013 - Historic changes for Sydney’s Darling Harbour venues

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.