The next big thing in movies is 60-year-old IMAX tech

Summary of The next big thing in movies is 60-year-old IMAX tech

by The Verge

28m•August 6, 2026
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Overview of The next big thing in movies is 60-year-old IMAX tech

This Vergecast episode explores why IMAX — a decades-old film format and projection system — has become one of the hottest topics in movies again. Jennifer Pattison Tuohy and Verge TV/film reporter Charles Pulliam-Moore discuss how Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey and other spectacle-driven releases have renewed interest in true IMAX, what makes it different from standard premium formats, and why the technology remains rare, expensive, and logistically difficult to scale. The episode also briefly starts with a Verge news roundup covering Google AI leadership changes, Nintendo’s tariff refund profits, and Bose’s new QuietComfort headphones.

Key Topics Discussed

What IMAX actually is

  • IMAX is more than a big screen: it includes proprietary cameras, film stock, projectors, and massive custom theaters.
  • True IMAX uses a very large 1.43:1 aspect ratio that creates a more immersive, towering image.
  • The format is designed to make the viewer feel “pulled into” the image when focused on the screen.

Why filmmakers still love it

  • IMAX is especially effective when used intentionally for artistic effect, not just as a marketing label.
  • Nolan’s films are a major part of IMAX’s modern identity, from The Dark Knight through Interstellar, Oppenheimer, and now The Odyssey.
  • The format works well for epic scale, practical effects, and visually overwhelming spectacle.

Why The Odyssey is such a big IMAX event

  • Nolan shot the film entirely in IMAX/large-format film, making it unusually ambitious and technically demanding.
  • The movie’s epic subject matter pairs naturally with the huge-format presentation.
  • Charles argues that the film’s visual scale is part of the storytelling, not just a gimmick.

Why IMAX Is Having a Resurgence

Christopher Nolan’s influence

  • Nolan has helped train audiences to care about film format and projection quality.
  • His reputation gives IMAX cultural cachet and makes “shot for IMAX” a selling point.
  • Other major filmmakers like Denis Villeneuve and Ryan Coogler also contribute to the format’s prestige.

Spectacle-driven moviegoing is back

  • Big-format releases like Sinners and Spider-Man: Brand New Day show there’s still demand for theatrical spectacle.
  • Studios and theaters benefit when moviegoers treat IMAX screenings as premium events.
  • The format creates a sense that the theatrical experience is special and distinct from watching at home.

Technical and Business Constraints

Why there are so few true IMAX theaters

  • There are only about 40–41 true 70mm IMAX projectors/theaters in the world.
  • Many of the existing projectors are 50+ years old and have merely been maintained or retrofitted.
  • Original blueprints and parts-manufacturing knowledge are limited or gone.

Why it’s hard to build more

  • IMAX cameras and projectors are huge, loud, and difficult to work with.
  • True IMAX theaters require massive screen infrastructure, which many venues can’t accommodate without costly construction.
  • Theater margins are already thin, so the economics of upgrading to true IMAX are tough.

Digital IMAX vs. true IMAX

  • The episode distinguishes between “true IMAX” and digital IMAX/LiMAX-style presentations.
  • Digital versions still offer a premium experience, but they do not provide the same full image area or visual information.
  • Charles suggests all versions can be enjoyable, but true IMAX is the most immersive and complete.

The Viewing Experience

Why format matters

  • Charles describes seeing The Odyssey in both standard format and IMAX and noticing meaningful differences.
  • In one example, an ocean monster/scuttling creature was barely visible in standard presentation but much clearer in IMAX.
  • The extra visual information can change how viewers read a scene, even if it doesn’t fundamentally alter the plot.

Is true IMAX worth it?

  • If you can get a ticket, the hosts suggest it’s worth seeing in IMAX for the enhanced experience.
  • But access is limited, tickets are pricier, and demand can be intense enough that reservations sell out far in advance.
  • The episode frames IMAX as a premium cultural event as much as a technical format.

New Industry Buzz: “Infinity Vision”

What Disney is doing

  • The episode ends by discussing Disney’s proposed “Infinity Vision” for Marvel films.
  • Unlike IMAX, this is described as a set of theater standards rather than a specific capture/projection technology.
  • It’s more of a branding and exhibition label than a filmmaking format.

How it compares to IMAX

  • IMAX is a real, specific technical system tied to cameras and projection.
  • Infinity Vision sounds more like a marketing-approved presentation standard that theaters can qualify for.
  • Charles suggests it may help sell tickets by sounding premium, even if it’s not as technically meaningful as IMAX.

Main Takeaways

  • IMAX’s current popularity is driven by both filmmaking ambition and audience appetite for theatrical spectacle.
  • Christopher Nolan has been a major force in making IMAX culturally relevant.
  • True 70mm IMAX remains rare because the technology is old, difficult to reproduce, and expensive to support.
  • The episode argues that format matters: the same film can feel noticeably different depending on how it’s projected.
  • Studios are still looking for ways to make moviegoing feel special, and branding like “Infinity Vision” shows that premium theater experiences remain a key part of that strategy.

Notable Insight

“When filmmakers make the choice to shoot something at IMAX... they are trying to depict something at a larger scale that evokes a particular feeling in the audience.”

This captures the episode’s central point: IMAX isn’t just about size — it’s about using scale as part of the storytelling.