IMAX positions itself as a premium cinema experience, but that premium comes with trade-offs. According to Engadget, ticket prices are almost always higher, with chains like AMC and Regal applying explicit surcharges for IMAX and other large-format screenings. The extra cost is easier to justify for films shot entirely on IMAX, such as The Odyssey, but less so for standard releases simply remastered for the format.
Availability is another issue. While IMAX reports 1,876 screens across 91 countries, true 70mm IMAX film projection is far rarer. The Odyssey, the first Hollywood movie shot entirely on IMAX film, screened at just 41 locations worldwide. Many IMAX-branded theaters use digital projection, which means the experience can vary significantly from the large-format presentations that generate critical buzz.
There is also a quality mismatch. Films not designated as "Filmed for IMAX" may not offer the expanded aspect ratio or extra picture area that defines the format. Moviegoers may end up paying more for a bigger and louder screening that is not meaningfully different from a standard one. For business-minded audiences, the takeaway is straightforward: IMAX's value depends heavily on the specific film and the specific screen, and neither is guaranteed by the brand name alone.