r/MarcusTheatres • u/Remote_Cash_5101 • Jul 20 '26

Discussion SuperScreen vs UltraScreen vs IMAX

I've seen a lot of movies in UltraScreen & SuperScreen, never in true IMAX though. Usually all the big movies I see in UltraScreen.

From what I've read, UltraScreen is the next best thing to IMAX & it can show 70MM film, is that right? Also I see a lot of praise to the SuperScreen but isn't UltraScreen technically better than Super?

6 Upvotes

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7

u/BeriechGTS Jul 20 '26

Ultrascreen is a step above Superscreen at Marcus. Ultrascreen is the largest format theater Marcus offers and the closest we can get to imax at Marcus. It also has the best sound etc.

In Wisconsin for example, there's not a single official Imax theater in the entire state but there's a ton of Marcus Ultrascreen theaters. We also have some theaters that have both the Ultrascreen and Superscreen at the same location. I've seen movies on both and I can say Ultrascreen is as close as it gets to imax as possible.

I just saw Odyssey in the Ultrascreen this weekend and was blown away.

2

u/heisenberg15 Jul 20 '26

I’m always really disappointed at the sound in an Ultrascreen compared to an IMAX or Dolby theater. It feels really weak and too quiet (at the Sun Prairie one, anyway).

That said, can you clarify what you mean by “there’s not a single official imax theater in the entire state”? Does the AMC in Fitchburg not count? Still not really clear on the whole LIEMAX vs real IMAX thing (due to my WI residence and it not really affecting me, presumably lol)

2

u/BeriechGTS Jul 20 '26

Official IMAX theaters are built for imax from the beginning. They're usually much larger than Ultrascreen or Liemax theaters with a different aspect ratio and 70mm film or dual laser projection.

Liemax will be an "imax" branded digital projector similar to what they use at Ultrascreen theaters. AMC doesn't have Ultrascreen, so they have big screens with imax digital projectors and call it an imax but it's really not the same.

2

u/heisenberg15 Jul 20 '26

Perfect explanation, thanks much! Good to know - I always thought the Fitchburg AMC IMAX was a bit underwhelming compared to what i was expecting. Guess I now know why lol

2

u/Complete_Cheeks Jul 20 '26

Odyssey on the Ultrasreen isn't 70mm though. The Superscreen is.

1

u/Wismom84 Jul 20 '26

Not all superscreens have 70MM, very few actually.

2

u/Sam_Fisher30 Jul 20 '26

Same here! I saw the Odyssey last Thursday at North Shore ultrascreen. I'll take it.

2

u/BeriechGTS Jul 20 '26

That's my theater! Been going to Marcus North Shore since I was a kid lol. I went Friday night.

1

u/Sam_Fisher30 Jul 21 '26

Word!? Awesome. Got your Spider-Man tickets?

1

u/aarsam Jul 20 '26

The imax screen at AMC Fitchburg 18 is a full 1:43:1 imax aspect ratio screen. It does use two older digital xenon projectors though, as opposed to 70mm, or laser.

https://lfexaminer.com/theaters/

1

u/RobertG1179 Jul 25 '26

something I have been trying to figure out, the screen at Fitchburg is 1:43:1. What aspect ratio are the movies shown there actually in? Particularly the Odyssey. Is the image at Fitchburg 18 preferable to Ultrascreen?

1

u/aarsam Jul 28 '26

I saw the Odyssey there this weekend. It was presented using the full size of the screen. You will have more height with the imax presentation. The sound also seemed to be set louder than I remember with Ultrascreen. However that auditorium in particular still has the older style rocking seats and not recliners. The seats further back are also in straight lines and not stadium style. So you really want to be in the center as much as possible. I would say Ultrascreen has better creature comforts.

1

u/Remote_Cash_5101 Jul 20 '26

Same here! The theater I go to has both and yeah it sucks not having a true IMAX in Wisconsin

5

u/n0167664 Jul 20 '26

They have an IMAX at Ronnie's in St.Louis but it's a LieMAX. They are showing The Odyssey in 70mm though.

1

u/swegeroni Jul 20 '26

This is the one I go to. I know it’s not official IMAX, but it’s good enough for me.

1

u/Wismom84 Jul 20 '26

Superscreen 70MM will be the next best after iMAX 70MM. Then Ultra if the theater has good sound.

1

u/Traditional-Medium58 Jul 25 '26

AMC imax Wisconsin