Last updated on 29 April 2025.
You might have seen some poster highlighting the fact that Marvel’s new movie Thunderbolts* is Filmed for IMAX. But what does it really mean?
Is Thunderbolts* shot with IMAX cameras?
IMAX is one of the most premium formats to watch any big hollywood action or superhero movie. It has its fanbase (including me) who only prefer this format for their movie nights. That’s why many studios promote how their movie should be watched in an IMAX theatre for the best experience.
One of the newest entries in these IMAX films is Thunderbolts.
Thunderbolts is officially Filmed for IMAX. About 60 to 70 minutes of the scenes will be shown in the 1.90:1 expanded aspect ratio. This aspect ratio will be exclusive to IMAX theatres only.
Since the runtime is around 2 hours and 7 minutes, this means more than half of the movie maintains the expanded ratio, filling up the screen from top to bottom. This gives you 26% more footage!
So, if you watch Thunderbolts in any other theatre/format, you will get it in the standard 2.39:1 aspect ratio only. But if you go for IMAX, the aspect ratio will switch to 1.90:1 for some important scenes.
Check the difference here:
Note that the film was entirely shot with IMAX-certified digital cameras. Cinematographer Andrew Droz Palermo used ARRI Alexa cameras for this project. However, this doesn’t always mean that it will have an expanded ratio throughout the mvoie.
Avengers Infinity War and Avengers Endgame are examples of films that were shot with digital IMAX cameras with the full 1.90:1 expanded ratio for the whole movie.
But not many other Marvel movies had the same approach. I can only remember Guardians of The Galaxy Vol 3 where it was for the entire film.
Most others have maintained a mix of both aspect ratios for the IMAX screenings.
Still, since better cameras are used for shooting, it means the movie will look great on an IMAX screen. These theatres also feature custom-designed geometry and best-in-class sound systems, so that every punch, explosion, and whisper hits you.
I am going to watch it in IMAX 3D for sure.
Also, don’t forget that Thunderbolts will have a one-day early release in India.
How is it different from Nolan’s IMAX films?
One of the most popular directors to realise the power of IMAX is Christopher Nolan. He had shot his recent movies (Oppenheimer, Interstellar etc.) with IMAX cameras. Fans wait to see them in the IMAX format only, even for the re-releases.
The marketing tagline for Thunderbolts also says “Filmed for IMAX”. So, this means it will have the same superior quality as Nolan’s IMAX films?
Actually, NO.
Many of Nolan’s movies are shot with special IMAX film cameras, with a physical reel inside the camera to capture the footage and require a separate heavy-build 70mm projector.
But except for Nolan, not many directors prefer this format as it is very difficult to shoot movies in it. Even Nolan uses these IMAX film cameras for a limited number of scenes only. The aspect ratio for such sequences (shot with film cameras) is 1.43:1.
That’s why IMAX decided to switch to Digital IMAX cameras. They are cheaper and easier to handle. A “Filmed for IMAX” program was launched in 2020 where they certified many digital cameras to be allowed for the IMAX brand name.
ARRI Alexa is one such popular camera that is used by Marvel Studios a lot, including Thunderbolts* this time.
So, a big difference here is that Nolan’s IMAX films are shot with film cameras, while many other so-called IMAX films are shot with digital cameras. They are also good but not comparable to film cameras.
But this is not a thing to worry about. Thunderbolts’ IMAX experience will be better than a normal theatre without a doubt.
Other Cinema Formats to watch Thunderbolts
If your city doesn’t have an IMAX theatre, the next best option is always Dolby. At least you get a better sound. Some great Dolby theatres in the world also have 4K laser projectors.
Then there is 4DX. It is more immersive with many practical effects. This includes motion-enabled seats as well as fog & scent simulations. While not everyone is a fan of this format, kids like it a lot.
There is also ScreenX, which gives you two extra screens. Other than the main screen in the centre, there will be one on your left and one on your right. Some scenes will be stretched on these additional screens to give you a 270-degree panoramic view.
These are some of the newer cinema formats available to watch the latest Marvel movies like Thunderbolts.
In Thunderbolts, Marvel assembles an unconventional team of antiheroes: Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster, and John Walker. After being ensnared in a death trap by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, they must embark on a dangerous mission that forces them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts,
Takeaways
Now you know what can you expect from Thunderbolt’s IMAX experience. I wish IMAX Corporation would make such things clear in advance. It’s always become confusion among moviegoers about how much footage is in expanded aspect ratio. I tried my best to explain it here.
And if you don’t know who I am? I am Ranish Chauhan a.k.a. Fulmino Fan, and I love Marvel & DC Superheroes and Sci-Fi movies. You can also check my YouTube channel for amazing videos in Hindi.