You’ve probably seen the "IMAX" logo plastered on every second movie theater in America, but honestly, most of them are kind of a lie. Well, maybe not a lie, but certainly a watered-down version of what the format was actually meant to be. If you’re in New York City, there’s really only one place that justifies the $28 ticket price, and that’s the IMAX at AMC Lincoln Square 13.
It’s huge. Like, eight stories tall huge.
Most people walk into a "Lie-MAX" at their local mall and think they’re getting the premium experience. They aren't. At Lincoln Square, the screen measures roughly 75.6 feet by 101 feet. To put that in perspective, a standard movie screen is basically a postage stamp. When you sit in those middle rows, the image doesn’t just fill your field of vision; it wraps around your brain. It’s one of the few remaining "Grand Theater" (GT) specs in the world.
The Secret of the 1.43:1 Aspect Ratio
Why does this matter? Basically, it’s all about the shape. Most modern movie screens are a wide rectangle. But "real" IMAX—the kind Christopher Nolan obsessed over for Oppenheimer or Interstellar—is much more square. It’s a 1.43:1 aspect ratio.
If you see a movie shot on 15/70mm film at a normal theater, they crop the top and bottom of the image off. You are literally missing 40% of the movie. At AMC Lincoln Square 13, the screen is tall enough to show the entire frame. When the movie shifts from a standard scene to an IMAX sequence, the black bars on the top and bottom disappear, and the image expands vertically until it’s towering over you. It’s a physical sensation, sort of like the floor dropping out from under your feet.
Lincoln Square is special because it houses a dual-laser projection system and a 15/70mm film projector. That’s a rare combo. Most theaters ditched the film projectors because they are a nightmare to maintain. They require a specialized projectionist and the "platter" for a three-hour movie can weigh 600 pounds. But for those rare 70mm runs, people fly from across the country just to sit in this specific Upper West Side room.
It’s Not Just the Screen size
The vibe of the building is also weirdly nostalgic. Most AMCs feel like sterile airport terminals these days. Lincoln Square still feels like a 1990s fever dream of "Old Hollywood."
The murals. The fake palm trees in the concession area. The fact that you have to take a series of escalators—one of which was famously the longest freestanding escalator in the world—just to reach the IMAX floor. It feels like an ascent to a different world. It opened in 1994 as a Loews theater, and even though AMC bought it years ago, they kept the ornate "Wonder Theatre" styling in some of the smaller auditoriums.
What Most People Get Wrong About Seating
Don’t just buy any seat. Seriously. If you sit in the front three rows at Lincoln Square, you’re going to spend three hours whipping your neck back and forth like you’re watching a tennis match. It’s miserable.
You want Rows K through N. That’s the "sweet spot." It’s high enough that you’re eye-level with the center of the screen but close enough that the 12,000-watt sound system actually vibrates your ribcage. Also, be warned: the seats in the IMAX auditorium are the older "rocker" style, not the plush red recliners found in the Dolby Cinema downstairs. AMC has started rolling out "New Epic Seating" in some parts of the building, but the IMAX is often the last to get the full recliner treatment because the stadium seating is so steep that traditional recliners would ruin the sightlines.
The 70mm vs. Laser Debate
Right now, in 2026, the theater uses IMAX with Laser for most releases. It’s incredibly crisp. The contrast ratio is insane—blacks are actually black, not dark gray. But if a movie like 28 Years Later or a major revival event comes through in 15/70mm film, take the film option.
Analog film has a "warmth" and a slight flicker that digital can't perfectly replicate. Plus, there is something cool about knowing a physical strip of celluloid is flying through a projector at 336 feet per minute just a few yards behind your head.
- The Screen: 75 x 101 feet (Largest 1.43:1 70mm capable screen in the US).
- The Tech: Dual 4K Laser + 15/70mm Analog.
- The Price: Expect to pay $25–$30 depending on the time of day.
- The Location: 1998 Broadway, right by Lincoln Center.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
If you’re planning to catch a blockbuster here, don't wait. For big releases, the "good" seats in the center of the theater sell out two to three weeks in advance.
- Use the AMC App: Set alerts for tickets. If it’s a Nolan or Villeneuve movie, you need to buy them the hour they go on sale.
- Check the Format: Look for the label "IMAX with Laser" or "70mm IMAX." If it just says "IMAX," it’s still the big screen, but might not be the specialized film print.
- Arrive Early: The IMAX theater is on the top floor. Between the ticket line and the four-story escalator ride, it takes a solid 10 minutes just to get to your seat from the street.
- Skip the Dolby if you want Scale: The Dolby Cinema at Lincoln Square is great for sound, but the screen is significantly smaller. If you want the "I can't believe this is real" feeling, stick to Auditorium 13.
Go see a movie that was actually shot for the format. Watching a standard comedy on this screen is a waste of money, but watching a space epic or a massive action flick? It's probably the best cinematic experience you can have in the Western Hemisphere.