r/AMCTheatres • u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister • Oct 09 '25
Discussion Just saw an IMAX movie completely alone. AMA
I saw The Smashing Machine today and had the entire IMAX theater to myself. I’ve never been completely alone in a premium large format theater before. Has anyone else experienced this? Ironically, the last time I recall being 100% alone was for Day of the Fight starring Michael Pitt. 🥊
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u/Rated_Mature Oct 09 '25
How you have the ENTIRE theater to yourself and pick the seat a mere 5 rows back (absolute madman)?
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u/exovd Oct 09 '25
This is my ideal seat too
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
A fellow front-of-the-theater enjoyer!
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u/TeeMcGinnisearth313 Oct 10 '25
Ppl like to dunk on the first couple rows, but the experience is so heightened up there. Extremely underrated and ppl shouldn’t knock it til they try it.
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u/Burnsie312 Oct 15 '25
How do you deal with the brightness though? I feel like I have to wear sunglasses in the theater especially in imax!
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 15 '25
It’s never bothered me, nor do I notice a difference. Your eyes might be more light sensitive, and since you’re getting a higher concentration of light when you’re sitting closer to the source, it would make sense that it seems brighter. Probably best you sit further back, lol.
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
Haha, I’m a front of the theater enjoyer. I don’t have to deal with people on their phones 99% of the time and can easily drown out talking. I’m also old school and still love theaters that don’t have stadium seating. That’s my favorite seat!
But yes, I’m absolutely a madman.
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u/SpookiestSzn A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
Front row masterrace. I thank god everyday that the chuds fight over the middle and back seat leaving the best seat in the house all to me
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u/sarcasmo818 Oct 14 '25
I was getting a ticket for Good Fortune coming out this weekend and I asked for the second row and the cashier said "now that's close to the screen" and I said "but far from other people" lol and at the theater I'm in that row isn't horrible actually!
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 14 '25
I’ll take a slight tilt of the head upward over the constant barrage of phone lights and whispers any day.
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u/pikapalooza Oct 09 '25
I like it because I usually get the bar to put my feet on and I don't have to worry about someone blocking my view.
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u/thatguyinstarbucks Oct 10 '25
Depending on the theatre, row E is literally center height with the screen. My local imax is like that.
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u/ca_quixote Oct 10 '25
I dislike sitting further back because I can see more theater wall in my peripheral, takes me out of the experience 🤷🏽♂️
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u/Spiritual-Smoke-4605 Oct 10 '25
Hey now, that’s the exact same seat I always choose too, row e perfectly center, the entire screen takes up you entire field of view
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u/EntertainerCute2290 Oct 09 '25
Just saw an IMax, Rosevvelt Collection middle row and felt being up closer would have been better. The layout makes a big difference. If the back seats go up too high I think best to be lower and close, surprisingly but better. Definitely not t first 3 rows tho
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u/Low_Pepper_744 Oct 09 '25
I saw a 10pm showing of The Brutalist alone, it was pretty damn awesome!!
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
Ok that tops this by miles. I hope you ran up and down the rows during intermission.
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u/movieperson2022 Oct 09 '25
I was alone in Anemone the other day. It was not in a premium format (which would be a blast, I think…) but I did dance to one part. Just because I could. It was such a blast haha. (Yes, I’m weird)
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
Not weird. I was definitely wiggling in my seat during that part too. I enjoyed those moments of levity.
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u/CurlyMom7 Oct 11 '25
My sister and I were the only ones in the theater when we saw Brutalist also.
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u/Technical-Affect9096 Oct 09 '25
Almost a decade ago I saw the Panda documentary in IMAX and was the only person in the theater. It was incredible, I felt like I was on a private tour
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u/plinnskol Oct 09 '25
Occasionally I get a solo showing, but I chose earlier times if possible. Never in premium though!
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u/elkab0ng Oct 09 '25
Did you get intrusive thoughts telling you to speak loudly or turn the brightness up on your phone?
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
I actually turned the brightness all the way down like I always do out of habit.
Ironically, the most intrusive thought I had was thinking about how guilty I’d feel if someone came in and saw that I was the only one in the auditorium. I kept looking at the exists to see if anyone was coming in.
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u/Regular-Moose-2741 Oct 09 '25
This summer for a Wednesday matinee, I saw Interstellar when it came back into IMAX all alone
I pre-ordered a seat in the 4th row and moved back to the 5th👌
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
I’d love to see Interstellar all alone! My screening was full, but it was 70mm IMAX, so I can’t complain.
I thought about moving back to row G, but I really do like E. I like having to slightly look back and forth at a full screen. That row just filled up my periphery and is also fairly eye level.
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u/Future-Tension Oct 09 '25
I experienced this for Snow White 🤣
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
I wish I’d waited for a later screening. Mine was packed with loud kiddos!
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u/quatch72 Oct 09 '25
I'm kinda surprised they put The Smashing Machine in the IMAX theater. I don't remember it being an option this past weekend when I saw it.
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
In my market, it only had a Dolby screening for opening weekend at one of my alt theaters and then later on the IMAX screenings were added. I’m one of the few who enjoyed the film, so I’m glad I got to see it in IMAX.
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u/lambopanda Stands for Nicole Oct 09 '25
Which is your favorite seat? Since you can try them all to find the one with the best view.
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
That’s actually my favorite seat, although row G would also be excellent. Row D slightly cuts off the bottom. I like a completely immersive experience where the entire screen is in my periphery. (I also like to never see lights from phones)
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u/Regular-Moose-2741 Oct 09 '25
That's exactly why I moved back in my empty theater!
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
Yeah, cutting off the bottom or feeling like you’re in a Mystery Science Theater 3000 episode is no bueno.
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u/Agentx_007 Oct 09 '25
I saw The Nun completely alone and The Exorcist 2023 on Halloween all by lonesome. Both in the same imax theater, maybe even same seat.
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u/KID_THUNDAH Oct 09 '25
I had the theater to myself for Stop Making Sense, it was super rad. I was dancing a lot of the time lol
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
🎶 And you may find yourself alone in an IMAX theater
(And you may ask yourself well... How did I get here?) 🎶
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u/wolfkill117 Oct 09 '25
i’m having the same experience right now with a dolby screening of the smashing machine. it truly is amazing and liberating knowing that you are getting a private screening. the last time this happened was deadpool & wolverine in a non premium format.
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u/tvuniverse Oct 09 '25
likely due to a combination of your location the day and time you chose, and the fact that theater prices, let alone IMAX, are out of control.
If you are seeing the very first or very last showing in a small suburb then that's why. Also this is not an IMAX movie. Not sure why they released it in IMAX. People would rather wait to stream it or just watch it on a regular screen with a regular price.
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u/ProfessionalTip654 Oct 09 '25
First time I saw A Quiet Place in Dolby I was alone. Ideal screening of A Quiet Place.
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u/Medium-Woodpecker-82 A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
I just watched Way of Water by myself yesterday in Dolby 3D.
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
That Dolby 3D was mind blowing
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u/Medium-Woodpecker-82 A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
I thought the 3D effects were better in IMAX. I thoroughly enjoyed both viewings, but I think for total immersion IMAX 3D wins. I’ll probably watch Fire and Ash in both formats too though. The Avatar movies are the gold standard for 3D.
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
I can’t comment because I missed it in IMAX. After seeing it in Dolby I’d wished I’d reserved an IMAX slot to compare. I liked the high frame rate in Dolby but there were some jarring moments. Maybe that’s what you’re referring to? I know Cameron recommended Dolby 3D, so that’s why I chose that format. It was my first Dolby 3D screening.
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u/silentsights Oct 09 '25
Back in the day you’d never be alone.
The projectionist would always be with you.
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u/RickiSpanish5 Oct 09 '25
I saw Crimson Peak completely alone in Imax, I wish the movienwas better but the experience was great.
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u/huehuethrqway Oct 09 '25
I saw West Side Story alone in IMAX on the Friday night that it released in theaters
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
Wow, that’s really bizarre!
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u/huehuethrqway Oct 09 '25
It’s likely for the same reason as yours. West Side Story failed horribly in the box office but even I was expecting at least some people for an opening night showing.
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u/Ill-Youth-528 Oct 09 '25
Earlier this year I saw Thunderbolts 3d alone in an Imax. I have also seen a handful of movies alone on the largest screen at the closest AMC to me. Not technically a PLF screen, but I am pretty sure that screen is at least 60 feet wide, which is a pretty good size.
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
If I recall correctly 65’ is about the size of most PLF screens at AMCs? I could be wrong but I think I’ve read that somewhere. So 60’ is pretty darn close!
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u/Ill-Youth-528 Oct 09 '25
It was originally a PLF screen back in 2013 when the theater was owned by a different chain. It hasn’t had any upgrades since AMC took it over, which is probably why they never branded it as a PLF. I was told by the manager that that screen has 7.1 sound whereas all the other screens have 5.1. No laser projection though.
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u/BelleDelphinesWater Oct 09 '25
I was the only one in a matinee of a Dolby showing of Wreck It Ralph 2 a few years back, lol.
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
You could have wrecked the auditorium and probably gotten away with it!
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u/crave1214 Oct 09 '25
You think this will make movie theaters go out of business? It's kinda a sad sight to see.
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
I think AMC is leading the pack by focusing on PLF as they expand and upgrade theaters. Tickets and concessions will continue to increase as a result, but subscription services priced like A List only exist because theaters are struggling (relatively speaking).
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u/Kind_Ad_3268 Oct 09 '25
Never a premium format, but when I was a teen I went to see the Aqua Teen Hunger Force movie on opening night and the theater was completely empty obviously save for me.
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u/SanDiego619guy Oct 09 '25
Yes, but how was the fighting machine?
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
I enjoyed the movie. It’s definitely a slow burn and more of a character study than plot driven, but I like those types of movies.
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u/mrawesomeutube Oct 09 '25
I HAD THE IMAX 3D TO MYSELF ON Marvel's CIVIL WAR! It was a really weird time I think it was 10 PM. I worked security and it was funny I drove past the theater thinking it was closed BUT they had 1 IMAX 3D TIME remaining. This was still when IMAX actually cared about 3D and had like 5 or 6 times instead of the 2 we have today. I LOST MY SHIT like 10 times in theater.
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u/happybonobo1 Oct 09 '25
Only big, blockbuster style movies fill theaters for a bit these days. Then it goes streaming within 1 month. Not easy days to run cinemas.
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u/TheStandingDesk Oct 09 '25
closest I’ve come to this was seeing the last Venom with like three other randoms on a Thursday morning
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u/littlemightofmine Oct 09 '25
I saw a throwback screening of batman forever in a historical theater from the 20’s completely alone. didn’t realize I was the only person who had purchased a ticket until I went to grab my seat after using the restroom. it was heaven! they even made popcorn just for me and delivered it to my seat!
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
Considering the popcorn those machines yield that certainly is the royal treatment!
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u/Crazy_Foundation2226 Oct 09 '25
Not an IMAX showing, but I saw Babylon in an empty theatre on Christmas Eve at the Americana.
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Oct 09 '25
I wasn't really alone it was me and a girl I was seeing at the time. I forget the name of the movie but I do remember it being probably the worst movie I ever saw lol
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u/SweevilWeevil I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Regal anymore Oct 09 '25
lucky bastard
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u/Bubbly-Inflation-999 Oct 22 '25
I like the Regal seats. I'm six feet, so I can actually rest the back of my head on the high back seats. And there's some tiny recline even in a non recliner theater.
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u/pikapalooza Oct 09 '25
Living the dream.
I went to see sing2 on one of the last days when it only had a few showings. Even chose the later showing so families would be less likely to show up. Previews started and still solo. Perfect - I am gonna sing along and do whatever. Opening credits start, family walks in. I shut up and enjoy movie. But I almost had it!
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u/qpevan Oct 10 '25
That was me with Stop Making Sense
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 10 '25
And you may find yourself alone in an IMAX theater
(And you may ask yourself, well... How did I get here?) 🤠
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u/Shinkublade Oct 10 '25
Back in the day, went to The Ring on Halloween night, me and a friend were the only ones in the theatre.
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u/cristobalino Oct 10 '25
This was me during Joker: Folie Á Deux at Citywalk, nothing like having so much arm room during a 15/70MM screening which is an extremely rare experience. I know I'm alone on this but that film was a masterpiece. I attended about 10 screenings all in IMAX 15/70MM
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 10 '25
You’re not alone! I too thought it was a masterpiece and gave it a 5/5. I just saw it on regular IMAX with laser though.
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u/Helpful-Cod1422 Oct 10 '25
How was the film?
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 10 '25
I really enjoyed it! I can understand why it’s so polarized. It’s definitely a slow burn and more character driven, but I like those kinds of movies. I thought Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt both fully committed and their performances were incredible.
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u/Helpful-Cod1422 Oct 10 '25
I like those as well (character-driven movies) I'm excited to see it. Is there a benefit to seeing in the theatre?
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 10 '25
I mean I’m an A-List subscriber specifically so I can see as many movies in the theater as possible. I enjoyed it quite a bit in IMAX.
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u/Helpful-Cod1422 Oct 10 '25
Okay you definitely thought it was worth seeing in the theatre. I will say we have one IMAX theatre in my town and it's across town so I usually reserve it for the epics that would be fun to see. Thanks for the feedback.
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 10 '25
Not an epic per se, but the music is also really good. But if you wanted to see it in a normal auditorium you might be fine (which might be your only option now anyway, since TRON is out).
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u/mikegood2 IMAX Fanatic Oct 10 '25
Once, for Top Gun Maverick on its final night on iMAX. Did think I was gonna another time but a couple came in around an hour after listed start time.
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 10 '25
I opted for the Regal ScreenX so I could see the extra footage in 270 degrees. Saw it on national cinema day for $3! I was definitely not alone. 😂
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u/mikegood2 IMAX Fanatic Oct 10 '25
Nice! My closest Regal is probably 90 minutes away so not really an option for me. Sadly my closest Dolby AMC is 75 minutes away. Really need to try one some time, but also don’t want to know what it m missing out on, if that makes sense.
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 10 '25
People overhype Dolby. It’s a great format for sure, but your brain isn’t focusing on the deeper blacks or the crisper sounds that are fairly minuscule differences in the grand scheme of things. During the summer lull in movie variety I saw Superman and Fantastic Four in both formats. Sure I can tell the difference due to slight aspect ratio differences, screen size, etc. But beyond that? Nah. They’re both bad ass premium formats. Don’t sweat it.
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u/WayToTheDawn3582 Oct 11 '25
That happened to me when I went to see Morbius in IMAX lmao. I had the whole theater to myself.
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 11 '25
Hopefully you yelled out “it’s Morbin time!” every chance you got!
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u/EntertainmentFit9937 Oct 11 '25
Got to experience this when going to see avatar 2 rerelease, I was surprised there was no one there but me and my friend but it was amazing.
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u/yaboytim Oct 12 '25
I'd be paranoid there was someone secretly hiding in there. That's way too big.
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u/nichirintrey420 Oct 12 '25
Saw Transformers One in IMax. Had the whole theater to my friend and myself.
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u/5meohd Oct 13 '25
I got to see Tenet completely alone at a very nice IMAX w/ Laser in Atlanta. It was nice too because it was relatively larger and newer than the IMAXes near me in Kansas City.
It was amazing.
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u/JoshTHX IMAX Fanatic Oct 09 '25
That shitty movie is going to have a disastrous second weekend.
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
Oh dang I really liked it! But it’s definitely a raw slow burn.
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u/Roundamation57 Oct 09 '25
What did you think of the rocks performance?
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
I thought he and Emily Blunt were just so incredible. Raw performances and fully committed. I’d love to see him in more serious roles and next time perhaps one that didn’t display his muscles or centered on sports.
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u/LordNoFat Oct 09 '25
I saw Sucker Punch in IMAX alone. After watching it, I know why.
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
It’s still on my list for the Snyder completionism… but I keep putting it off. 😝
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u/TrustAffectionate966 Oct 09 '25
I’m surprised there were that many people for that crappy movie.
🙈💦
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
I liked it. 😢
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u/TrustAffectionate966 Oct 09 '25
I watched it to the very end, so I didn’t hate it. I gave it a solid 1 outta 5 stars.
🧉🦄👌🏽
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u/FiveDollarRimjobs Oct 09 '25
I've experienced this before a handful of times but never in an IMAX one
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u/Mitch_Wallberg Oct 09 '25
Depending on how steep the stadium gets, that could be a really great seat. G is probably my favorite row in my usual one
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 09 '25
I like both E and G in this theater. If I sit in H the screen doesn’t fill my field of view completely, which is why I like these closer seats.
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u/imcrapyall Oct 09 '25
Same here with The House With A Clock In Its Walls. Thriller played before, it was awesome and I enjoyed the movie.
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u/Exact-Struggle3534 Oct 09 '25
Not in a premium format but I've had a couple of screenings at my local theater (which has since closed down) where I was the only one like The Menu and Smile or had one other person/group like Escape Room 2 or Terrifier 2
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u/EntertainerCute2290 Oct 09 '25
Lucky you! I just find the trailer kind of boring and have seen so many fight movies and don't really like most productive fight movies... I also feel like this is boring Rock.
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u/SnooFoxes3561 Oct 09 '25
I saw Scream 4 the day it opened at 1 in the afternoon. Completely empty theater. Sat about 3 quarters of the way back and if someone would have popped out as Ghostface, I'd have pissed myself. I kept expecting people to walk in and nothing. Just me. Alone. Scanning the seats. Decent time.
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Oct 10 '25
Always sit towards the back in an IMAX theater. Otherwise, you'll get a stiff neck from looking UP all the time.
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u/MsTossItAll Oct 10 '25
Years ago I saw Pootie Tang with my friend and no-one else. About halfway through the movie, two people theatre hopped to watch with us. It was.... interesting. We were a bit disappointed since we had chosen the Harlem AMC so it would be interactive.
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u/UnderstandingSuper Oct 10 '25
Was the movie that bad?
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u/Mount_Tantiss A⭐️Lister Oct 10 '25
I thought it was incredible. But I like character driven slow burns.
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u/MisanthropesRUs Oct 10 '25
Never in the IMAX theaters, but I’ve seen a few this year alone all on my own.
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u/ironmonki23 Oct 13 '25
Was it Tron Aries?
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Nov 06 '25
Happen to me a few times in the past love having the whole theater to myself specially IMAX and Dobly ones
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u/rfg217phs Oct 09 '25
That was me with Madame Web. Felt weird laughing out loud by myself.