GoKawiilIMAX cameras' bulk and cost keep the format rare in Hollywood filmmaking
Despite IMAX existing since 1970, few films are shot using true IMAX cameras due to their massive size, weight, and noise. The cameras require expensive 65-70mm film that runs out quickly, forcing frequent stoppages that slow production and raise costs, as Tom Holland experienced on The Odyssey set. Even newer, quieter IMAX cameras like the one used on that film still weigh nearly 400 pounds, making them impractical for many scenes.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The technical and financial burdens of true IMAX filmmaking explain why the format remains a niche choice reserved for big-budget productions with specific visual ambitions. It also highlights a gap between marketing and reality, since most theaters can't project true 15/70 IMAX, meaning most audiences never see films as originally shot even when they're marketed as IMAX experiences.
- True IMAX cameras are heavy, loud, and impractical for many film scenes.
- Frequent film changes due to limited reel capacity can disrupt shooting schedules and confuse actors.
- Most theaters lack true 15/70 IMAX projection, limiting who experiences the format as intended.
Christopher Nolan 4K Blu-ray Collection (Dunkirk, Interstellar, Tenet) — Nolan is the director most associated with shooting on IMAX film, and his 4K UHD releases preserve the expanded aspect ratio for those large-format sequences at home. It's the closest you'll get to that towering IMAX frame without a ticket, and a great way to see why filmmakers wrestle with those giant cameras.
See Christopher Nolan 4K Blu-ray Collection (Dunkirk, Interstellar, Tenet) on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Jack Whitcombe, 2026-08-24
Published there as: “Why are more movies not shot in IMAX?”
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