IMAX is a large-format film system built for scale. The screens are much taller and wider than standard ones, the seating rises steeply so the picture fills your field of view, and the sound is tuned to the room. You'll find it in two kinds of places: multiplex cinemas, where IMAX screens show the biggest new releases, and science museums, where IMAX theaters, often with giant dome screens, run documentaries about space, oceans and wildlife.

Not every IMAX screen is the same size. Some purpose-built auditoriums have screens several stories tall, while others in multiplexes are only somewhat bigger than a regular large screen. Some films are shot with IMAX cameras and open up to a taller picture in certain scenes, and those look best on the biggest screens. If the experience matters to you, find out what kind of screen your local theater has before you buy.

The Date Activity

An IMAX movie is the classic movie date turned up. A big action, science fiction or adventure film feels like an event, and the shared gasps and jumps are half the fun. Like any movie, though, it means two hours without talking, so build in dinner before or a drink after. Picking the film apart afterward is where the date actually happens.

The museum version makes a great daytime date. Catch a documentary on the dome screen, wander the exhibits, then add a planetarium show if the museum has one. It's a little nerdy, which is exactly why it works.

On Your Own / With Friends

Opening weekends for big films sell out IMAX showings first, so if a group of friends wants to go together, pick a showtime early and buy all the seats in one order so you sit side by side. Museum theaters are good for families and often sell combined tickets with general admission. Going alone is easy and rewarding, too: a single seat in a good spot is often still available when a show looks nearly full.

Good to Know

IMAX tickets cost more than standard ones, and 3D showings can cost more again, so check which version you're buying. The best seats are usually centered and a bit more than halfway back. Sitting too close to a very tall screen means craning your neck for the whole film. Dome screens and fast camera moves can make some people queasy, so if you're prone to motion sickness, sit farther back and look away when you need to. Museum theaters run on a fixed daily schedule, and their documentaries are often shorter than a feature film, so arrive on time or you'll miss a good chunk of it.