Overview
There's big screens, and then there's IMAX's big screens. For Queenslanders, however, only the first have greeted cinemagoers over the last decade — until now. The Gold Coast has just become home to the Sunshine State's sole location playing the huge format, with Event Cinemas Pacific Fair in Broadbeach converting an existing auditorium into an IMAX.
The new IMAX was first announced back in October 2024, and has newly opened its doors as at Thursday, December 19, 2024, just in time for the Christmas and Boxing Day rush. In literally massive news, Australia's number of giant spots to catch a film now totals four. The Gold Coast joins Sydney and Melbourne, as well as the also just-opened Dendy Canberra IMAX.
The Sunshine State isn't unacquainted with such a sizeable way to see a flick, though. South Bank's Cineplex in Brisbane was previously an IMAX but, while it still has the towering screen in operation, the picture palace hasn't shown the format for more than a decade. So, Brisbanites are set for a trip down the highway — and tourists to the Gold Coast who are keen on catching a flick during their stay have somewhere huge to hit up.
At Event Cinemas Pacific Fair in Broadbeach, viewers can expect a custom-built IMAX experience, including a 1.1:9 aspect ratio screen, IMAX 4K laser projection, 12-channel sound and premium seating. Mufasa: The Lion King and Moana 2 are the first films gracing the new setup, with the future slate set to not only show blockbusters, but also concert films, documentaries and live events.
"We are so proud to bring IMAX to the Gold Coast. For years, Queenslanders have been eager for a premium IMAX cinema
experience, and we're thrilled to bring this to life for them," said Daniel McCabe, General Manager of Cinema Operations Australia Event Cinemas.
The Gold Coast now boasts two sizeable ways to get a movie fix, with surround-screen viewing experience ScreenX making its Australian debut at Event Cinemas Robina back in 2023. Three walls, three screens, a 270-degree field of view: that's the maths behind that concept, which uses multi-projection across a screen area measuring 67.7 metres.
Also in 2023, after IMAX Sydney reopened at Darling Harbour following a seven-year period where it was demolished and then rebuilt, it was revealed that another IMAX was on its way to Sydney. While it's planned for an existing Event Cinemas location as well, it hasn't come to fruition as yet.
Find IMAX at Event Cinemas Pacific Fair, Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Level 1/1571 Hooker Boulevard, Broadbeach. Head to the cinema's website for more details.
Images: IMAX Pacific Fair and IMAX Queensgate NZ.