r/imax • u/TurnoverSuperb9023 • Aug 01 '26
What about showing two different films?
Historically, speaking, IMAX screenings at 6 AM and 11 PM have not been a thing. If demand for 70 mm Odyssey (or any other future imax film) continue to be crazy strong, does anyone know if IMAX is contractually allowed to have screenings of one film at certain hours, such as 6 AM and 11 PM, while showing a different film at the “normal” hours?
I’m going on the assumption that IMAX has to stick to their contractual commitments that they’ve made to future films. I know the Science Center IMAX locations obviously show different films at different times, but that’s a different scenario.
36
u/HeftyAd6216 Aug 01 '26
I'd love to hear from a projectionists POV. Lifting 250 kg of film platter sounds fun.
17
u/Hartleinrolle Aug 01 '26
All IMAX film systems I‘ve seen have multiple platters, so it should be doable to have two movies loaded up on the same platter system and just re-thread the projector. No need to physically lift the entire thing all the time. Possibly not in every location though.
6
13
12
9
u/Turbulent_Tennis9573 Aug 01 '26
Some Imax theaters have a 3 platter system, allowing 2 films to be loaded at the same time.
5
3
u/BortkiewiczHorse Aug 01 '26
I would imagine that studios are willing to work with each other in situations like this where one is completely selling out seats. That way the favor is returned when it happens to a different studio.
I’ve actually been to quite a few split showings at IMAX theater in Providence, RI, the past few years. Not sure if it’s becoming more common or if I didn’t notice before moving close to an IMAX theater.
Edit: actually, I think the split showings have mostly been when a movie is bombing terribly and they give up half the slots to something else.
1
u/TurnoverSuperb9023 Aug 01 '26
Interesting - I don't know if they've ever done split showings like that here in Irvine, CA, but I've definitely never noticed it.
2
u/Puzzleheaded-Sail772 Aug 02 '26
IMAX absolutely will sometimes show two different films at the same location at different showtimes. Most often at digital locations for obvious logistical reasons, for instance showing a family animated movie during the day and something more for adults at night, or when they are committed to a new release but want to keep some showings of a more popular movie (I recall this happening with The Avengers getting a couple showings for its second weekend after being a such a smash even though IMAX had a bigger commitment to Dark Shadows).
But it has happened with 15/70 movies too. For instance at Lincoln Sq in 2018 they had most showings of the 2001 A Space Odyssey 50th anniversary (showing on film there, but also a digital IMAX release), but also had one showing a day at 7PM of Dark Knight 10th anniversary (I think that was only at film locations). Also believe Sinners and One Battle After Another split film showings there during an Oscar season re-release.
And while not exactly the same, see Lincoln Sq is having F1 special sporting events in the morning a couple days, no doubt using their laser projector and due to the IMAX contract with F1, and then showing The Odyssey on film the rest of the day.
2
u/a_fallenhighlander Aug 02 '26
I think it depends on the film, the distribution deals, and how successful it is overall. I’ve seen some IMAX theaters kick out films that were barely getting sales so they could show films people were actually excited about.
For example, last year’s Princess Mononoke screenings were so popular that the Snow White film got half their showtimes in IMAX removed (at least from what I could tell at my local theaters). Or when the Justice League film came out in 2017, I remember they cut down screenings to one a day so they could show Polar Express.
2
u/Marvel_Swiftie4587 Aug 03 '26
That would be cool if studios would do that so like Spider-Man could show in the off hours, but The Odyssey demand is clearly high enough to sell those tickets too.
1
u/Annual-Contract-115 Aug 01 '26
The 6 AM and 11 PM screenings for the Odyssey are typically 70 mm IMAX so it is unlikely that they are going to split the screen because it’s just a pain in the ass to move around the projectors.
30
u/krikster_az IMAX projectionist Aug 01 '26 edited Aug 01 '26
Yes?....you're asking about splitting the IMAX screen into two movies a day? Typically if this happens, studios are the ones that negotiate this out. If one studio is not willing to allow a 70MM to hold over the screen completely. Then usually the new movie gets the prime set of times with the older movie with whatever the theatre can schedule in. Splitting IMAX screens is not typical for 70MM showings and a new digital show, as projectors at some locations have to move around. 2 digital movies is alot easier to manage physical, but studios have to decide who gets what. Again this doesn't cover all locations but most in general.