Omni IMAX Theater

Since its opening in April 19, 1983, the Omni has earned a reputation as one of the most engaging learning environments in our community. For over 30 years, more than 10 million guests have journeyed to remote islands of the Pacific, explored deep under the ocean surface, splashed down the mighty Colorado of the Grand Canyon, stampeded across the vast Serengeti, traveled through the galaxy to the craters of Mars, and inched up the treacherous peaks of Mount Everest – all while never leaving North Texas. The Omni Theater was the first IMAX screen in the Southwest and, with an eight-story domed screen and 30-degree stadium seating, remains the largest IMAX dome in the United States west of the Mississippi River. The Omni’s 120-foot-wide screen places the audience in the center of the action, producing a sensation much closer to real-life than a conventional movie theater. The theater embodies a revolutionary concept in film presentation, which combines the drama of oversized film, state-of-the-art projection equipment, innovative tilt-domed theater architecture and the most sophisticated production techniques to create unique cinematic experiences. Previously, the Omni could only show films of up to one hour in length. In late 2005, the theater upgraded to take advantage of new IMAX® technology, called digital remastering (DMR), which allows IMAX theaters to show films up to 2½ hours in length. The Omni Theater chose The Polar Express as its first DMR film due to its strong connection to the museum’s mission as a place for extraordinary learning, as well as the film’s tremendous appeal to families and children. The Omni also added a new IMAX IDO projection lens that increases by 25 to 30 percent the brightness and sharpness of all films shown at the Omni. In late 2007, the Omni was closed temporarily while the Museum began construction on a new facility. It reopened in August 2008 with new guest facilities, enhanced LED lighting, and a superior digital sound system. The new system uses compression-free, state-of-the-art technology to create spectacular impact and clarity, ensuring that sound is reproduced as it was originally recorded. In its 30 year history, the Omni Theater has shown more than 80 giant-screen adventures. A single 40-minute feature requires approximately 13,000 feet of film contained on a reel weighing 200 pounds. That’s a lot of film over the years! Experience your next adventure on the biggest screen in the Southwest.