the project

the background

Chicago has been without access to what many consider the highest quality of film projection since the closure of Navy Pier’s IMAX in 2020.
Navy Pier IMAX (last managed by AMC) was the last IMAX screen in the city limits. It was the city’s only “Grand Theater” IMAX, meaning that it’s screen size was capable of displaying IMAX’s 1:43.1 aspect ratio. It originally opened in 1995 and an independent IMAX venue, then was purchased by AMC. In 2017, AMC renovated the theater and installed a to take over full time instead of the 15/70 film projector with a state-of-the-art dual laser projection system, as well as a new screen. (However they also stated that maintained the ability to play 70MM film “as needed”). Navy Pier then closed in 2020, during quarantine, as AMC struggled financially and that theater in particular was rumored to have specifically been struggling with cost issues. It was then replaced by an attraction, “Flyover Chicago” which is a simulation ride for tourists.

It’s a bit of a mystery! It’s likely the dual projection system went to a new GT IMAX theater somewhere else, and many thing the 15/70 projector pieces were scrapped for parts.

the beloved 15/70 projectors that cause so much commotion when a Nolan release comes to town are many years old and are no longer manufactured. IMAX has started to invest in film camera manufacture first, but they have yet to re-invest (to this researcher’s limited knowledge) in the new 15/70 film projection system that many, many of us are calling for. So for now, it seems all of the GT IMAX theaters that use 15/70 are stuck using parts from existing or recently defunct IMAX projectors.

good question! When IMAX initially emerged as a format, it was incredibly rare and was only projected in the 1:43.1 aspect ratio on massive screens that might only be found at museums or highly specialized theaters. IMAX made more of these GT 1:43.1 theaters in the 90s/early 00s. As it got more popular, it got more expensive to expand and build, and so IMAX created “IMAX Digital theaters” which is what most consumers are familiar with, projecting on a smaller screen and a 1:90.1 aspect ratio (allowing IMAX to spread their brand to more regular movie theaters). These projectors were a great improvement for cineplexes all over at thee time, but quality was pretty significantly different from the film projection, and with the introduction of laser projection, many of these digital projectors are now dated, too. The good news is, there is now “single laser” 1:90 projection available, and is beginning to be rolled out to theaters.
Navy Pier was the only True IMAX in the city limits.
Here is the difference in screen size between Navy Pier and Regal City North (with The Bean for scale):

Chicagoland has had two other GT-sized screens in the area. Let’s talk about them.
- Regal Lincolnshire. Sadly, this theater closed in 2023. It looks like it had been running a 1.90 Digital Projection for a quite a while, but it did get a 70MM print of The Dark Knight Rises in 2012. As recently as a few months ago, some folks broke into the theater and captured photos of the screen and film projector still there. We don’t know much more (such as whether the projector could still function, or what was scrapped for parts), but the photos seem relatively promising if someone incredibly wealthy wants to buy the property.
- Cinemark Seven Bridges. This theater is still open! But it doesn’t run their 15/70. Last known 70MM showing there was also TDKR. A Redditor recently asked them if they had any plans to bring the 70MM projector back to location and the answer was basically “no.” So they are running a 1:90.1 digital projector currently on a 1:43.1 screen.

I actually... don’t really know! The person running this is just a girl with no money, no prospects, a couple social media accounts, and a dream.

Right now, I'm calling this part of the plan the awareness phase

for chicagoans / the midwest: informing them about what the area used to have access to and what we lost through some “unprecedented” societal changes
- also helping answer questions as we go through a new 15/70MM release cycle about why Chicago doesn't have this capability anymore
for IMAX and the theater chains: that the Chicago and midwestern film community thriving and desperate for this format to be supported in a major city like Chicago
for a secret (to me), third audience: if there is some mysterious benefactor out there that wants to support us, we need you now more than ever, so this is a plea to you to perhaps step in and consider funding an independently run theater that licenses out with IMAX

Check out our Support page for details!

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