If one doesn't have a true IMAX theater nearby, which type screening would provide the most immersive viewing experience, a LieMax Cinema or Dolby Cinema?

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Posted by TigerFanatic99

South Bend, Indiana

Member since Jan 2007

35729 posts

Posted on 3/24/26 at 7:03 pm to swampgrizzly

I've never even heard of LieMax, but we saw Oppenheimer in a Dolby Cinema and it was unbelievable. Visually it was stunning, but some of these scenes going into the third act where the sound of everyone stomping their feet in the bleachers were just mind blowingly intense.

Broadly speaking, people undervalue the effect audio has on the movie going experience. Dolby Cinema absolutely nails it.

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Posted by Proximo

Member since Aug 2011

23735 posts

Posted on 3/24/26 at 7:16 pm to swampgrizzly

I prefer Dolby. Regular imax isn’t worth it especially since they have the non-reclining seats

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Posted by TouchedTheAxeIn82

near the Apple spaceship

Member since Nov 2012

7310 posts

Posted on 3/24/26 at 8:32 pm to TigerFanatic99

quote:
I've never even heard of LieMax

He's referring to IMAX branded theaters that are not really the true IMAX that older folk are familiar with. True IMAX is 70mm film shown on huge screens. There are only about 20 theaters left in the US that still show IMAX in the original 70mm/huge screen format.

"IMAX with Laser" is the format that most "IMAX" theaters show. The screens are big but most are not IMAX big. But there are two different digital IMAX formats. Most "IMAX with Laser" theaters are 2K resolution and use smaller screens. I guess these are comparable to Dolby theaters regarding the picture; the picture, sound, seats, etc. are the differences that the OP wants to compare.

There is a digital IMAX format that tries to get closer to the analog experience. It's called "IMAX with Laser (4K GT Dual Laser)". This format is played on large IMAX style screens, but apparently it's still not quite the same. I've never been to one of these theaters.

I have a real 70mm IMAX theater about 20 miles away. I may go to another showing of PHM there.

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Posted by TouchedTheAxeIn82

near the Apple spaceship

Member since Nov 2012

7310 posts

Posted on 3/24/26 at 8:40 pm to TouchedTheAxeIn82

Oh, to answer the question:

True IMAX > Dolby > fake IMAX

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Posted by meeple

Carcassonne

Member since May 2011

11107 posts

Posted on 3/24/26 at 8:48 pm to Proximo

quote:
I prefer Dolby. Regular imax isn’t worth it especially since they have the non-reclining seats

Same here but the Lie-max closer to me has amazing recline seats. For this reason I’ll see most movies here unless it was shot in 70mm film…. Then it becomes a road trip.

This post was edited on 3/24/26 at 8:49 pm

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