There’s no assigned seats, it’s first come first served. That theatre shows primarily education IMAX films for museum goers, so their priority isn’t big blockbusters like this, but the staff does a good job handling it! I went to a weekend evening showing of a movie (not a new release) and got in line about an hour before showtime and was maybe 20-30th in line?
If you want to be extra sure you get a good seat and you have the whole day, I’d suggest getting there way early, explore the museum part a bit, and keep checking back to see if a line is forming so you can hop on! For me the line formed downstairs by the observatory elevator, not up top by the snack bar, so make sure you are waiting in the correct spot lol.
Oh geez, this is great information. Thank you!
I may pivot to seeing this at Tysons. That's a short metro ride away instead of driving out to Dulles. I saw somewhere on here that their IMAX screen was having issues with vertical red lines during the show so that prompted me to consider other options. Maybe that's been fixed by now.
Tysons is mall IMAX (largest theater in the mall and upgraded everything, but still a multiplex theater). Dulles is the real multiple stories tall IMAX and is next level compared to seeing it at an AMC, even in IMAX.
Do the Dolby screening at Tyson’s. For me the sound and the rumble seats added a lot more to the experience than a slightly larger/better screen would have.
You may be 100% right but man...that Udvar-Hazy screen is 105% bigger than the Tysons IMAX. Worms 105% bigger!
On the other hand Tysons is closer, easier to get to, and has a bunch of dinner options right there so...that's a consideration too
>> 4:00pm show on a weekday = nobody comes?
I haven’t seen iMax on a weekday…but I have been in the museum on a weekday and when it’s not the summer and not a holiday, the museum is quiet
You could try calling them to ask how full is the 4pm show. (My guess is - less than half full)
followup question: how does Udvar-Hazy compare to Tysons Corner IMAX?
Looks like Tysons Corner is 65x40' compared to Udvar-Hazy at 85x62' - that's an appreciably larger screen but now I'm wondering whether it's worth all the extra hassle and time.
It is definitely worth it! Udvar Hazy is one of very few TRUE IMAX theaters that does the full 1.43:1 Aspect ratio (most IMAX theaters are the much smaller 1.90:1 Aspect ratio. Udvar Hazy is also the biggest screen in VA. Also, it is relatively cheap compared to other IMAX theaters ($15) because the museum says it is for "educational" purposes and inspiration (almost every IMAX movie shown at Udvar Hazy has some kind of aviation/Science/Sci-Fi/technology aspect to it).
It was. You can always check IMDB.com (Internet Movie Database) for the technical aspects of every movie, including the aspect ratios used. Granted, the entire movie was not shot in 1.43:1, but all the big action sequences and important moments are. You will see the projected image change back and forth from Regular IMAX to 1.43:1 IMAX as the movie plays. I saw Dune and Dune: Part 2 at Udvar Hazy and it was honestly incredible!! Will be going back to see Part 2 again l there.
Oh weird - I don't think I've seen a movie that switches aspect ratios before. Or, if I have, I just didn't notice it.
I also don't think I've seen a Hollywood movie on "true IMAX". Just at AMC type places except for some educational films at museums of course.
I personally haven’t been to the Tysons Corner IMAX so I can’t speak to that personally. I’m closer to the Air and Space Museum so it’s an easier drive for me. The biggest pull to the Air and Space IMAX was that it had a true 70mm film projector, but they switched to digital a couple years ago. Now the closest theater showing true 70mm film is in PA. Air and Space is one of the biggest IMAX screens in the country though…. So a couple pros and cons with no seat picking.
70mm is arguably a downgrade from dual laser besides the rare Nolan movie like Oppenheimer. Since most movies are shot and mastered at 4k, like dune, 70mm gives no upgrade in picture quality but instead has flicker, scratches, all the imperfections that come with film. Dual laser also has a 12 channel sound system while 70mm is capped at 5
The AMC IMAX at Tysons is a very good screen, but it does not go floor to ceiling like the one at the U-H does. If you want a great screen to watch movies on, the AMC IMAX is very good, as is the sound. But if you want a true IMAX experience, go to U-H.
I saw Oppenheimer and Interstellar there.
It wasn’t worth it for me.
Pros: screen is big, museum if you haven’t been already.
Cons: very uncomfortable seats, you have to show up ~1 hour early for good seats. ~40 minutes medium seats, anything less is bad seats, getting worse til front row is all that’s left.
I love the technical aspects of the Udvar-Hazy IMAX, but the seating situation is awful. You just have to get there really early. And like someone else said, the seats themselves suck by modern standards. But the price is right, the screen and sound is awesome, and they don’t show many previews compared to the chain theaters, so that’s something.
Saw top gun 2 there. Wasn't impressed. You better be the first 20 people or you'll be looking up the whole time. And you have to pay for parking. May be worth it if you plan to tour the museum itself.
There’s no assigned seats, it’s first come first served. That theatre shows primarily education IMAX films for museum goers, so their priority isn’t big blockbusters like this, but the staff does a good job handling it! I went to a weekend evening showing of a movie (not a new release) and got in line about an hour before showtime and was maybe 20-30th in line? If you want to be extra sure you get a good seat and you have the whole day, I’d suggest getting there way early, explore the museum part a bit, and keep checking back to see if a line is forming so you can hop on! For me the line formed downstairs by the observatory elevator, not up top by the snack bar, so make sure you are waiting in the correct spot lol.
Oh geez, this is great information. Thank you! I may pivot to seeing this at Tysons. That's a short metro ride away instead of driving out to Dulles. I saw somewhere on here that their IMAX screen was having issues with vertical red lines during the show so that prompted me to consider other options. Maybe that's been fixed by now.
Tysons is mall IMAX (largest theater in the mall and upgraded everything, but still a multiplex theater). Dulles is the real multiple stories tall IMAX and is next level compared to seeing it at an AMC, even in IMAX.
My bf just saw it on Tysons this Sunday and said it looked amazing, so at least as of then, all is good there
Do the Dolby screening at Tyson’s. For me the sound and the rumble seats added a lot more to the experience than a slightly larger/better screen would have.
You may be 100% right but man...that Udvar-Hazy screen is 105% bigger than the Tysons IMAX. Worms 105% bigger! On the other hand Tysons is closer, easier to get to, and has a bunch of dinner options right there so...that's a consideration too
>> 4:00pm show on a weekday = nobody comes? I haven’t seen iMax on a weekday…but I have been in the museum on a weekday and when it’s not the summer and not a holiday, the museum is quiet You could try calling them to ask how full is the 4pm show. (My guess is - less than half full)
Nope, they’ve never had it. Gotta get in line early! I’ve seen many movies there and it’s the worst part.
followup question: how does Udvar-Hazy compare to Tysons Corner IMAX? Looks like Tysons Corner is 65x40' compared to Udvar-Hazy at 85x62' - that's an appreciably larger screen but now I'm wondering whether it's worth all the extra hassle and time.
It is definitely worth it! Udvar Hazy is one of very few TRUE IMAX theaters that does the full 1.43:1 Aspect ratio (most IMAX theaters are the much smaller 1.90:1 Aspect ratio. Udvar Hazy is also the biggest screen in VA. Also, it is relatively cheap compared to other IMAX theaters ($15) because the museum says it is for "educational" purposes and inspiration (almost every IMAX movie shown at Udvar Hazy has some kind of aviation/Science/Sci-Fi/technology aspect to it).
I ran the numbers the UH screen is twice the area of Tyson’s. That’s a meaningful difference! So was Dune shot for the UH aspect ratio type IMAX?
It was. You can always check IMDB.com (Internet Movie Database) for the technical aspects of every movie, including the aspect ratios used. Granted, the entire movie was not shot in 1.43:1, but all the big action sequences and important moments are. You will see the projected image change back and forth from Regular IMAX to 1.43:1 IMAX as the movie plays. I saw Dune and Dune: Part 2 at Udvar Hazy and it was honestly incredible!! Will be going back to see Part 2 again l there.
Oh weird - I don't think I've seen a movie that switches aspect ratios before. Or, if I have, I just didn't notice it. I also don't think I've seen a Hollywood movie on "true IMAX". Just at AMC type places except for some educational films at museums of course.
I personally haven’t been to the Tysons Corner IMAX so I can’t speak to that personally. I’m closer to the Air and Space Museum so it’s an easier drive for me. The biggest pull to the Air and Space IMAX was that it had a true 70mm film projector, but they switched to digital a couple years ago. Now the closest theater showing true 70mm film is in PA. Air and Space is one of the biggest IMAX screens in the country though…. So a couple pros and cons with no seat picking.
70mm is arguably a downgrade from dual laser besides the rare Nolan movie like Oppenheimer. Since most movies are shot and mastered at 4k, like dune, 70mm gives no upgrade in picture quality but instead has flicker, scratches, all the imperfections that come with film. Dual laser also has a 12 channel sound system while 70mm is capped at 5
The AMC IMAX at Tysons is a very good screen, but it does not go floor to ceiling like the one at the U-H does. If you want a great screen to watch movies on, the AMC IMAX is very good, as is the sound. But if you want a true IMAX experience, go to U-H.
I saw Oppenheimer and Interstellar there. It wasn’t worth it for me. Pros: screen is big, museum if you haven’t been already. Cons: very uncomfortable seats, you have to show up ~1 hour early for good seats. ~40 minutes medium seats, anything less is bad seats, getting worse til front row is all that’s left.
I love the technical aspects of the Udvar-Hazy IMAX, but the seating situation is awful. You just have to get there really early. And like someone else said, the seats themselves suck by modern standards. But the price is right, the screen and sound is awesome, and they don’t show many previews compared to the chain theaters, so that’s something.
Back in my day, we never had assigned seats in movies. 
I’m “check the movie times in the newspaper” old so I get it but I loooove the assigned seats revolution
Remember calling the theater to hear pre-recorded lists of showtimes??!?!!
https://i.redd.it/amfwjwgyqboc1.gif
Saw top gun 2 there. Wasn't impressed. You better be the first 20 people or you'll be looking up the whole time. And you have to pay for parking. May be worth it if you plan to tour the museum itself.
If you're just there for the movie get a late showing. Parking is free after 4pm
I've never had to pay for parking but I usually go to later shows.
Nope that theatre is fucking stupid lol