IMAX Sydney
Interactive map of IMAX Sydney | |
| Former names | Panasonic IMAX |
|---|---|
| Address | 35 Wheat Road Sydney Australia |
| Coordinates | 33°52′40″S 151°11′58″E / 33.877898°S 151.199573°E |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1996 |
| Closed | 2016 |
| Reopened | 2023 |
| 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]
The original IMAX Sydney theatre was originally built as a standalone building in 1996. It was closed and demolished in 2016 as part of a broader redevelopment of the Darling Harbour area, making way for The Ribbon building. The new theatre was reopened within the new building in 2023, with updated screening technology and amenities, albeit with a slightly smaller screen size due to physical constraints within the new building.
History
In 1995, after 18 months of negotiations with the Darling Harbour Authority, Cinema Plus Pty Ltd received approval to construct an IMAX theatre in Sydney. The cinema featured a Grand Theatre screen with the capacity to seat 540 people, and its construction cost $18 million AUD.[2]
IMAX Sydney 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]
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The original IMAX Sydney building in 2005
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Entrance to the original building, 2005
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 430 seats with an IMAX dual laser projection system, as well as a 12 Channel sound system and a 29m x 24m screen.[9][10][11][12]
Other IMAX theatres in Australia
Australia currently has 9 other IMAX theatre locations, including cinemas in Canberra,[13] The Gold Coast,[14] Other locations in Sydney,[15] Perth[16] and Melbourne,[17][18] with more planned.[19] Only IMAX Melbourne is a comparable GT location as all other locations are limited to 1.90:1 Laser Projection. When compared to IMAX Melbourne, IMAX Sydney is smaller as its screen is 29 m × 24 m (95 ft × 79 ft) while IMAX Melbourne's is 32 m × 23 m (105 ft × 75 ft),[20] IMAX Melbourne also features a 1570 projector,[21] while IMAX Sydney does not, furthermore IMAX Melbourne has seating for 461 people,[22] while IMAX Sydney has enough for 430.
Notes
- ^ The largest IMAX theatre in the Southern Hemisphere is IMAX Melbourne in Victoria, Australia.
- ^ The largest IMAX theatre in the world is located in Leonberg, Germany.
References
- ^ a b Maddox, Garry (9 October 2023). "After seven years, Sydney's IMAX is reopening, just in time for Taylor Swift". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ Eight-storey cinema for Darling Harbour Australian Financial Review 29 August 1995 page 39
- ^ Apps, Jamie (6 June 2023). "IMAX Sydney Set To Reopen". Neighbourhood Media. Archived from the original on 24 June 2024. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ a b Larger than life Australian Financial Review 4 October 1996 page 14
- ^ a b World's largest screen gives cinemagoers B-I-G picture Sydney Morning Herald 11 September 1996 page 7
- ^ "World's biggest movie screen - 29.7m high and 35.7m wide - installed at Sydney Imax". 10 February 2012.
- ^ Maddox, Garry (24 August 2016). "Sydney IMAX cinema at Darling Harbour to be demolished". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Woodley, Melissa. "The IMAX has reopened in Sydney – with the third largest movie screen in the world".
- ^ Bucklow, Andrew. "IMAX Sydney has one of the world's biggest cinema screens".
- ^ "Sydney IMAX theatre finally reopening after seven-year renovation". Nine News. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2024.
- ^ Ellis, Alice. "IMAX Sydney has the world's third largest cinema screen". Time Out Sydney. Archived from the original on 28 August 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ^ "The world's most immersive film experience is coming to Canberra – and it opens this week". HerCanberra. 17 December 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ^ Ward, Sarah (18 December 2024). "Now Open: Queensland Finally Has an IMAX Cinema Again Thanks to Pacific Fair's Newest Addition". Concrete Playground. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ^ "HOYTS Blacktown rolls out the red carpet for IMAX? with Laser – News Hub". Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ^ "IMAX coming to Event Cinemas Innaloo". PerthNow. 6 November 2025. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ^ Brown, Hudson (4 December 2025). "Hoyts Chadstone Has Just Levelled Up, Bringing IMAX with Laser Technology to Your Cinema-Going Experience". Concrete Playground. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ^ Souza, Nicole de (18 July 2025). "IMAX Is Now Open At The HOYTS In Melbourne Central". Secret Melbourne. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ^ "IMAX wants 40 screens in Australia by 2029". ScreenHub. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ^ "IMAX Melbourne". Melbourne International Film Festival. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ^ "IMAX 1570 Film". IMAX Melbourne. Retrieved 13 February 2026.
- ^ "IMAX Melbourne". Museums Victoria. Retrieved 13 February 2026.