Features & Documentaries
IMAX® Dome Theater in Birmingham, AL
A Theater Experience Like No OtherAbout the McWane Science Center IMAX® Dome
The John W. Woods IMAX® Dome Theater features 250 seats beneath a 5-story, 79’ diameter tilted dome screen that fills your entire field of vision. Welcome to the pinnacle of cinematic immersion. Featuring a revolutionary IMAX® with Laser projection system, McWane Science Center’s theater is the only IMAX® Dome in the Southeast.
This theatre now features IMAX® with Laser technology – a next generation laser projection system and 12-channel sound system exclusive to IMAX theatres. IMAX® with Laser is immersive by design, developed from the ground-up to deliver crystal clear, lifelike images and precision sound for a moviegoing experience unlike anything else.
IMAX® with Laser is IMAX’s most advanced theatre experience. It is set apart by a groundbreaking 4k laser projection system that features a new optical engine, custom designed lenses, and a suite of proprietary technology that delivers sharper and brighter images with increased resolution, deeper contrast, and the widest range of colors exclusively to IMAX screens worldwide.
2024 Season Presented By
1h 40m Runtime | Rated PG | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
On Christmas Eve, a young boy embarks on a magical adventure to the North Pole on the Polar Express, while learning about friendship, bravery, and the spirit of Christmas.
Tom Hanks
Chris Coppola
Michael Jeter
Robert Zemeckis
39m Runtime | Rated PG | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Mysteries of Egypt transports audiences to a distant time and place by exploring the magnificent architectural feats, awe-inspiring legends and amazing history of the ancient Egyptian civilization. Re-live the discovery of the tomb and its prized possessions including King Tut’s mummy inside a coffin made of gold.
Omar Shariff
Kate Maberly
Timothy Davies
Bruce Neibaur
40m Runtime | Rated PG | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Imagine stepping 50 years into the future and finding smart cities designed to be totally sustainable. Renewable energy is our primary power source, space-based solar power provides solar energy 24 hours a day, everything is recycled, and you have your own individualized pods that run on maglev trains using little or no energy. You can also ride an electric flying vehicle! Traffic jams are a thing of the past. This isn’t science fiction. Engineers are making plans for a sustainable world right now. And it’s coming to the giant screen!
Cities of the Future is an exciting giant screen experience from MacGillivray Freeman Films and the American Society of Civil Engineers, the award-winning team that brought you Dream Big: Engineering Our World.
Omar Shariff
Kate Maberly
Timothy Davies
Bruce Neibaur
94m Runtime | Rated G | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Ready for takeoff? Glen Powell and J.J. Abrams invite you to experience the ride of a lifetime this May when The Blue Angels soars into IMAX. The Blue Angels follows the veterans and newest class of Navy and Marine Corps flight squadron as they go through intense training and into a season of heart-stopping aerial artistry.
Omar Shariff
Kate Maberly
Timothy Davies
Paul Crowder
2h 18m Runtime | Rated PG | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
IMAX and Pathé Live in partnership with Mercury Studios and Queen Films announced today that, for the very first time, one of the world’s biggest bands will perform on cinema’s biggest screens with the global release of “QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL,” exclusively in IMAX® beginning January 18, 2024. This exhilarating live concert from 1981 is a window into Queen in their most unalloyed form, giving audiences a larger-than-life, front-row immersive experience.
Queen
Saul Swimmer
2h 48m Runtime | Rated PG-13 | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family.
#DuneMovie features @IMAX’s exclusive Expanded Aspect Ratio throughout the entire film so fans can feel fully immersed in Denis Villeneuve’s continuing vision of Arrakis. Get tickets now to the Fan First Premieres exclusively in IMAX on February 25th and receive a free collectible mini poster, small popcorn, and 20 oz drink. #FilmedForIMAX
Florence Pugh
Timothee Chalamet
Rebecca Ferguson
Dennis Villeneuve
2h 48m Runtime | Rated PG-13 | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while seeking revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family.
Florence Pugh
Timothee Chalamet
Rebecca Ferguson
Dennis Villeneuve
1h 55m Runtime | Rated PG-13 | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
The epic battle continues! Legendary Pictures’ cinematic Monsterverse follows up the explosive showdown of “Godzilla vs. Kong” with an all-new adventure that pits the almighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence—and our own. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire” delves further into the histories of these Titans and their origins, as well as the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond, while uncovering the mythic battle that helped forge these extraordinary beings and tied them to humankind forever.
Rebecca Hall
Bryan Tyree Henry
Dan Stevens
Adam Wingard
2h 35m Runtime | Rated PG-13 | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, “Dune” tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
Timothee Chalamet
Rebecca Ferguson
Zendaya
Dennis Villeneuve
1h 30m Runtime | Rated PG | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
The Grinch and his loyal dog, Max, live a solitary existence inside a cave on Mount Crumpet. His main source of aggravation comes during Christmastime when his neighbours in Whoville celebrate the holidays with a bang. When the Whos decide to make Christmas bigger and brighter, the disgruntled Grinch realises there is one way to gain peace and quiet. With help from Max, the green grump hatches a scheme to pose as Santa Claus, steal Christmas and silence the Whos’ holiday cheer once and for all.
Benedict Cumberbatch
Cameron Seely
Rashida Jones
Yarrow Cheney
Scott Mosier
2h 45m Runtime | Rated PG-13 | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Years before he becomes the tyrannical president of Panem, 18-year-old Coriolanus Snow remains the last hope for his fading lineage. With the 10th annual Hunger Games fast approaching, the young Snow becomes alarmed when he’s assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird from District 12. Uniting their instincts for showmanship and political savvy, they race against time to ultimately reveal who’s a songbird and who’s a snake.
Rachel Zegler
Tom Blyth
Viola Davis
Francis Lawrence
1h 56m Runtime | Rated PG | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Based on the extraordinary character at the center of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl’s most iconic children’s book and one of the best-selling children’s books of all time, “Wonka” tells the wondrous story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today.
Timothee Chalamet
Olivia Colman
Hugh Grant
Paul King
42m Runtime | Rated G | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
At the very top of the globe, lies a spectacular, frozen realm. But don’t be fooled by appearances…this place is not frozen in time. It’s a dynamic ecosystem and for thousands of years, its indigenous people and wildlife have found ways to survive and live in harmony with these extremes.
Embark on a yearlong adventure across the seasons and three continents. Be immersed in the astounding world of narwhals, belugas and polar bears as they navigate ice floes. Hear the thunderous sound of stampeding caribou and muskox trying to escape hungry wolves. Be amazed by hooded seals that blow up red balloons and ice-covered bumblebees that emerge glorious from their winter lairs.
As the planet’s climate is experiencing rapid changes, so is the Arctic. But the changes here are happening faster and more dramatically than anywhere else. Can it keep pace?
Benedict Cumberbatch
Rachel Scott
43m Runtime | Rated G | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Join the crew of a giant freight train for an eye-popping, music-infused journey across America. Giant diesels, spectacular terrain, tens of thousands of miles of track—and millions of pounds of freight that can’t wait.
Created by the director of the celebrated IMAX® Experience Rocky Mountain Express and his team, Train Time is captured on 15/70mm motion picture film, the world’s largest film format for exhibition in IMAX® and other giant screen theaters.
To deliver the cargo, Train Time propels audiences through the rugged beauty and vastness of the American landscape, revealing the brutal challenges of railroading, as well as secrets of the art and science of running the greatest trains. Weaving together present-tech and racing steam locomotives, grit, glamour and glorious landscapes, Train Time immerses viewers in a grand tapestry of American railroading.
Climb aboard for the biggest adventure on wheels.
Jake Lawrence
Ryan Thornburg
Stephen Low
45m Runtime | Rated G | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
June 6, 1944: The largest Allied operation of World War II began in Normandy, France. Yet, few know in detail exactly why and how, from the end of 1943 through August 1944, this region became the most important location in the world. Blending multiple cinematographic techniques, D-Day: Normandy 1944 3D brings this monumental event to the world’s largest screens for the first time.
Audiences of all ages will discover from a new perspective how this landing changed the world. Exploring history, military strategy, science, technology and human values, the film will educate and appeal to all. Narrated by Tom Brokaw, D-Day: Normandy 1944 pays tribute to those who gave their lives for our liberty…a duty of memory, a duty of gratitude.
Tom Brokaw
Pascal Vuong
40m Runtime | Rated G | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
In America’s musical cities, musical stories come together to create a soundtrack that showcases the nation’s diversity and its collision of cultures, culminating in a unique blend of sound, music and innovation unlike anywhere else in the world.
Morgan Freeman
Greg MacGillivray
44m Runtime | Rated G | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
In May 2009, NASA astronauts embark on a mission to perform maintenance and repairs to the Hubble Space Telescope. As they go about their tasks, danger and beauty are never far away. The nature of space indicates that even the simplest routine can go fatally awry, while amazing photographs taken by the telescope celebrate the wonder of Earth’s celestial surroundings.
Leonardo DiCaprio
Toni Myers
40m Runtime | Rated G | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Secrets of the Sea is a giant screen film featuring the ocean’s strangest and most spectacular creatures. In the ocean, each species is dependent upon many others for survival. Captured in locations all over the world, the film demonstrates the critical importance of marine biodiversity by illustrating the astonishing ways different marine species interact with each other and their environment.
From award-winning underwater filmmakers Howard and Michele Hall (Into The Deep, Deep Sea 3D, Under the Sea 3D) and Jonathan Bird (Ancient Caves) comes an exciting new giant screen film, shot entirely “dome-friendly,” and featuring incredible underwater cinematography from around the world, a strong environmental message and a powerful score from renowned giant screen film composer Alan Williams. Secrets of the Sea is sure to thrill audiences in both Dome and 3D formats.
A production of Howard Hall Productions and Oceanic Research Group, presented by MacGillivray Freeman Films.
Joelle Carter
Jonathan Bird
Howard Hall
1h 40m Runtime | Rated G | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
The little voices inside Riley’s head know her inside and out—but next summer, everything changes when Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” introduces a new Emotion: Anxiety. According to director Kelsey Mann, the new character promises to stir things up within headquarters. “Anxiety, voiced by Maya Hawke, might be new to the crew, but she’s not really the type to take a back seat,” said Mann. “That makes a lot of sense if you think about it in terms of what goes on inside all our minds.” A trailer, poster and film stills are now available for what promises to be the feel-good (or feel-everything) film of Summer 2024.
Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” returns to the mind of newly minted teenager Riley just as headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust, who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone. Maya Hawke lends her voice to Anxiety, alongside Amy Poehler as Joy, Phyllis Smith as Sadness, Lewis Black as Anger, Tony Hale as Fear, and Liza Lapira as Disgust. Directed by Kelsey Mann and produced by Mark Nielsen, “Inside Out 2” releases only in theaters Summer 2024.
Kelsey Mann
Amy Poehler
Phyllis Smith
Lewis Black
Tony Hale
Liza Lapira
May Hawke
Ayo Edebiri
45m Runtime | Rated G | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
For over a hundred years dinosaurs have inspired and thrilled audiences, commanding blockbuster status in museums and at the box office. But among them towers a king—a tyrant lizard king. With leaps in CGI wizardry and revelations in tyrannosaur paleontology over the past twenty-five years, the time has come to revisit rex in the world’s prestigious museum cinemas, from rexling to teen to fightin’ prime.
Chronicling a remarkable discovery in the badlands of Hell Creek in the summer of 2023, this immersive giant screen film explores the life and times of the Greatest Of All Tyrants – the GOAT.
David Clark
Andy Wood
1hr 34m Runtime | Rated PG | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
In the first Despicable Me movie in seven years, Gru, the world’s favorite supervillain-turned-Anti-Villain League-agent, returns for an exciting, bold new era of Minions mayhem in Illumination’s Despicable Me 4. Following the 2022 summer blockbuster phenomenon of Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru, which earned almost $1 billion worldwide, the biggest global animated franchise in history now begins a new chapter as Gru (Oscar® nominee Steve Carrell) and Lucy (Oscar® nominee Kristen Wiig) and their girls —Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Madison Polan)—welcome a new member to the Gru family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad. Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal (Emmy winner Will Ferrell) and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina (Emmy nominee Sofia Vergara), and the family is forced to go on the run.
Chris Renaud
Patrick Delage
Steve Carell
Kristen Wiig
Joey King
2hr 15m Runtime | Rated R | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Wolverine is recovering from his injuries when he crosses paths with the loudmouth Deadpool. They team up to defeat a common enemy.
Shawn Levy
Ryan Reynolds
Hugh Jackman
Emma Corrin
2hr 2m Runtime | Rated PG-13 | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
This summer, the epic studio disaster movie returns with an adrenaline-pumping, seat-gripping, big-screen thrill ride that puts you in direct contact with one of nature’s most wondrous—and destructive—forces. As storm season intensifies, terrifying phenomena never seen before are unleashed, and Kate, Tyler and their competing teams find themselves squarely in the paths of multiple storm systems converging over central Oklahoma in the fight of their lives.
Lee Isaac Chung
Glen Powell
Daisy Edgar-Jones
Maura Tierney
1hr 58m Runtime | Rated PG-13 | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
“Mufasa: The Lion King” enlists Rafiki to relay the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny—their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe.
Barry Jenkins
Aaron Pierre
Kelvin Harrison Jr.
Seth Rogen
2hr 30m Runtime | Rated NR | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Grammy-winning, multi-platinum recording artist and global superstar Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart.
The two meet as students at Shiz University in the fantastical Land of Oz and forge an unlikely but profound friendship. Following an encounter with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, their friendship reaches a crossroads and their lives take very different paths. Glinda’s unflinching desire for popularity sees her seduced by power, while Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself, and to those around her, will have unexpected and shocking consequences on her future. Their extraordinary adventures in Oz will ultimately see them fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
John M. Chu
Cynthia Erivo
Ariana Grande
Michelle Yeoh
Jonathan Bailey
Ethan Slater
Marissa Bode
Jeff Goldblum
1hr 30m Runtime | Rated PG-13 | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Every Transformer has an origin. Watch the new trailer for #TransformersOne – only in theatres September 20.
TRANSFORMERS ONE is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever. In the first-ever fully CG-animated Transformers movie, TRANSFORMERS ONE features a star-studded voice cast, including Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Steve Buscemi with Laurence Fishburne and Jon Hamm.Coming to theaters: September 20, 2024
Josh Cooley
Chris Hemsworth
Brian Tyree Henry
Scarlett Johansson
2hr 24m Runtime | Rated PG-13 | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Beetlejuice is back! After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.
Tim Burton
Jenna Ortega
Monica Bellucci
Winona Ryder
0hr 40m Runtime | Rated NR | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Misrepresented, maligned and misunderstood, the Great White Shark is an iconic predator: the creature we love to fear… GWS3D will explore the Great White’s place in our imaginations, in our fears, and in the reality of its role at the top of the oceanic food chain… See the Great White through the eyes of people who swim with sharks: Mike Rutzen, Frederic Buyle and William Winram. Narrated by Bill Nighy, directed by Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas, and photographed by D.J. Roller. Original music by the creators of STOMP.
Luke Cresswell
Steve McNicholas
Bill Nighy
1hr 41m Runtime | Rated PG | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
The epic adventure follows the journey of a robot—ROZZUM unit 7134, “Roz” for short — that is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island and must learn to adapt to the harsh surroundings, gradually building relationships with the animals on the island and becoming the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling. A powerful story about the discovery of self, a thrilling examination of the bridge between technology and nature and a moving exploration of what it means to be alive and connected to all living things.
Chris Sanders
Lupita Nyong’o
Pedro Pascal
Catherine O’Hara
Bill Nighy
Kit Connor
Stephanie Hsu
1hr 2m Runtime | Rated G | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
In this classic musical fantasy, Judy Garland stars as Dorothy Gale, a young Kansas farm girl who dreams of a land “somewhere over the rainbow.” Dorothy’s dream comes true when she, her dog, Toto, and her family’s house are transported by a tornado to a bright and magical world unlike anything she has seen before. Unfortunately, she makes a mortal enemy of a wicked witch when the house falls on the hag’s sister. Now, befriended by a scarecrow without a brain, a tin man with no heart and a cowardly lion—and protected by a pair of enchanted ruby slippers—Dorothy sets off along a yellow brick road for the Emerald City to beseech the all-powerful Wizard of Oz for his help to return home.
Victor Fleming
King Vidor
Judy Garland
Frank Morgan
Ray Bolger
2hr 3m Runtime | Rated PG-13 | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
After Santa Claus – Code Name: RED ONE – is kidnapped, the North Pole’s Head of Security (Dwayne Johnson) must team up with the world’s most infamous bounty hunter (Chris Evans) in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas.
Jake Kasdan
Dwayne Johnson
Chris Evans
Lucy Liu
1hr 30m Runtime | Rated PG | Closed Caption and Audio Description Available
The Grinch tells the story of a cynical grump who goes on a mission to steal Christmas, only to have his heart changed by a young girl’s generous holiday spirit.
Scott Mosier
Yarrow Cheney
Benedict Cumberbatch
Cameron Seely
Rashida Jones
Mindy Sterling
Pharell Williams
Angela Lansbury
Kenan Thompson
Scarlett Estevez
Tucker Chandler
Sam Lavagnino
Townsend Coleman
Lori Alan
1hr 40m Runtime | Rated PG | Closed Caption and Audio Description Available
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ epic animated musical “Moana 2” reunites Moana (voice of Cravalho) and Maui (voice of Johnson) three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced.
David Derrick Jr.
Jason Hand
Dana Ledoux Miller
Dwayne Johnson
Auli’I Cavalho
Alan Tudyk
James Hood’s Beautifica
From the creators of the multi award-winning MESMERICA comes a brand-new epic immersive experience unlike any other.
Beautifica is a 360 journey through worlds real and imagined, from mindblowing particle fields to unashamedly euphoric fantastic environments almost impossible to describe.
The brainchild of visionary composer James Hood working with some of the finest immersive animators on the planet, this family-friendly show is a feast for the senses, which will leave your spirit refreshed and your face grinning ear to ear.
IMAX® Dome Frequently Asked Questions
The IMAX® Dome is designed to fill your entire field of vision as audio surrounds you to create a truly immersive sight and sound experience. The screen is comprised of hundreds of precision-engineered and highly reflective perforated aluminum panels. The laser projection system creates images of unsurpassed contrast, clarity, and luminance. And six channels of ultra-high fidelity digital surround sound deliver clear, enveloping audio. It’s truly a theater experience like no other!
Refreshments are offered at our Concession Stand, located at the entrance to the IMAX® Dome Theater, including fresh gourmet popcorn, assorted candies, and bottled soft drinks. The concession stand opens fifteen minutes before the first scheduled movie and closes after the last queued guest is served following the final scheduled movie of the day.
We’re sorry, but all ticket purchases are non-refundable.
Yes! We offer museum combo tickets that include one IMAX ® ticket and general admission to the museum. Do note that combo tickets can only be purchased for documentary-length films, and not feature-length films. To learn more about combo tickets and museum admissions, visit our Purchase Tickets page.
Questions About the IMAX® Dome Theater?
Please reach out to our Reservations Department for questions about the movie-going experience here at McWane Science Center. Our Reservations Department can answer your questions about the theater. For all other inquiries, please visit our contact page.