BFI IMAX London

Reviews

1. Andrew G. T ★★★★★

   A very late review of my personal experience of IMAX Waterloo Went to watch PREDATOR: BADLANDS in 3D This is the U.K.’s biggest screen. Some Facts 1. Physical Scale • UK’s Largest Screen: It stands at 20 meters high (65.6 ft) and 26 meters wide (85.3 ft). For context, that is roughly the height of five double-decker buses stacked on top of each other. • The "Glass Drum": The screen is housed in a massive glass cylinder that sits in the middle of a roundabout. To prevent the nearby Waterloo Underground lines from shaking the screen, the entire building is mounted on anti-vibration bearings. • The 2022 Refurbishment: The cinema underwent a major upgrade in late 2022, which included a new screen surface, improved seating, and a massive audio overhaul. 2. Projection Technology The BFI IMAX is unique because it maintains both cutting-edge digital and classic "old school" analog systems: • IMAX with Laser (4K): This is the primary digital system. It provides significantly more brightness and contrast than a standard cinema. • 15/70mm Film Projector: This is the "gold standard" for cinephiles. It is one of only a handful of theaters globally that can still project 70mm IMAX film (the format used by directors like Christopher Nolan for Oppenheimer and Interstellar). • Resolution: While 4K is the digital limit, 15/70mm film is estimated to have a digital equivalent resolution of roughly 18K. 3. Aspect Ratio & Viewing • The "Full" IMAX Experience: Most modern "IMAX" screens in multiplexes have a 1.90:1 ratio. The Waterloo screen is a "GT" (Grand Theatre) geometry, capable of a 1.43:1 aspect ratio. • The Catch: While the screen can show 1.43:1, it currently uses a Single Laser digital projector. This means digital films are typically shown at 1.90:1 (filling most, but not all, of the height). Only 70mm film prints can currently fill the entire vertical height from floor to ceiling. • Audio: It features a 12-channel IMAX immersive sound system with 14,000 watts of power, capable of everything from pin-drop silence to floor-shaking explosions. 4. Seating & Capacity • Capacity: The auditorium seats 493 people. • The "Sweet Spot": Because the screen is so vertical, many regulars recommend sitting in the back third (Rows L through P) to avoid neck strain, though the "steep rake" of the seating ensures a clear view from almost anywhere. If you want a true cinephile experience, then let the above aforementioned facts entice you.

   almost 7 months ago
2. Babji Vundavilli ★★★★★

   I've been numerous times, and I adore the sound and visual quality. You've arrived at the ideal location if you're searching for the best IMAX screen in London. The high-tech IMAX screen and Dolby sound make it worth it, and the sound and visual quality are just amazing. I promise you won't regret the experience if you enjoy watching movies!

   almost 8 months ago
3. Andrew Williams ★★★★★

   Yes, very interesting experience. I was an Imax virgin. The film, "M" was awesome. My observation is that Imax is very engrossing and 'in your face' and I didn't see everything on the screen due to its size. I look forward to recieving the DVD at Christmas (hoping) to enjoy the film again.

   almost 9 months ago

1. Nicholas Ceja ★★★★★

   I am fortunate to live close to the BFI and have the ability to go multiple times a year. For a movie lover like me, it has created some breathtaking and one in a life time experiences. Even for my friends who are more relaxed with their cinema experience, have left in amazement. The price of the ticket may cost a bit more than your usual cinema but for the quality and type of cinema it’s well worth it and cheaper compare to the other IMAX places. The concessions are well priced for a cinema as well. I recommend giving the BFI IMAX a try at least once, especially if it’s a film formatted for such experience.

   almost 10 months ago
2. Alok Sonthalia ★★★★☆

   First the accessibility to the location. It is a maze activity. The theatre is located in centre of a roundabout. And the access is underground ducts located all around the roundabout. So basically no need to cross the roundabout. Just get in an underground ducts and it has directions marked to BFI IMAX. Once you there, just keep walking to first floor for theatre access. Surprisingly no scanning of tickets. Just random checks. Definitely it’s a big screen and a more vertical seating arrangement. They claim it’s biggest in UK. Sound system was definitely good. I was there watching F1 movie. And the experience was mind blowing. The team at F1 movie have done fabulous job to make us the experience the thrill of F1 cars driving. Truly worth experiencing the screen and sound system. A tick box sort of thing. As the tickets are expensive compared to regular theatres. And it’s conveniently located near Waterloo station. So if you are a visitor to London, getting to the location won’t be a much hassle.

   1 year ago
3. cat p ★★★★★

   Went to watch Avatar 2, the new sound system & laser imax screen is out of this world. The seats are a bit small leg room wise even the premier one's.

   almost 3 years ago

1. Maria Ologu ★★★★★

   We went to the IMAX today to see the Avatar 2. Amazing 3 D experience that did justice to a great film. We had VIP seats with plenty of leg room and very comfortable. The place is a vwry short walk from the underground station. There is a cafe place downstaits that sels nice cakes and another one on the first floor that sells all the usual pop corn and other cinema snacks. The place was clean and staff helpful.

   almost 3 years ago
2. Darren Hill ★★★★★

   Great picture and sound, best in the UK. Seating though could be better Avatar was over 2 hours 40 minutes will only go in the future if the film is under 2 hours. Update 19/12/22 seats and screen have been updated, new seats are really comfy watched Avatar 2 and the seat was comfy throughout.

   almost 3 years ago
3. Vishnu Nair ★★★★★

   One of the best IMAX screens in the UK. I recently saw Avatar and really appreciated the screen size. The premium seats are comfortable but lacks under thigh support. There is enough leg room. The tricky thing is getting the right seats to enjoy the benefits of the massive screen and sound effects. My top tip would be to choose seats around P10 - P15. They are perfectly placed and will give you the best experience.

   almost 3 years ago

1. Damian Lopez (Damilop) ★★★★☆

   The BFI Imax is reborn. The 12 channel sound system does wonders for surround even if the sound reverberation hasn't been improved and the surround effect itself isn't as effective as Dolby Atmos. The new laser system is nice and sharp even if it isn't as bright as Imax Dual Laser or Dolby Cinema. The biggest upgrade for me though is the seating. The old red seats were rubbish and tightly packed but these new ones are much wider and better padded. It is a shame though that the armrests aren't padded unless you go for the premium seats with wider legroom. I feel that it should be a given with how much you pay for Imax to at least get padding on armrests. Overall some very nice and overdue upgrades to the cinema make it a worthy place to go for those big releases. Personally however, I believe that the best overall cinema experience without visual, sound or comfort compromise can be found in a Dolby Cinema.

   almost 3 years ago

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