Last updated on 31 August 2024.
Check out all Marvel Cinematic Universe movies which are shot or released in IMAX.
List of Marvel Movies in IMAX
Do you know: Only some Marvel movies are shot with IMAX cameras and some are just digitally re-mastered (DMR) by them after shooting.
Here is a list of all 23 Marvel Movies from the MCU franchise which are specially formatted for IMAX (in order of release dates):
1) Iron Man (2008)
Detail: Some IMAX scenes in a 1.90:1 ratio (digitally remastered)
Many people don’t know, but Iron Man has some scenes that are made for a larger viewing experience. They never got released in theatres (except for 2018’s re-release). But it is now available on Disney+.
2) Guardians of The Galaxy (2014)
Details Some IMAX scenes in 1.90:1 ratio (digitally remastered)
Guardians of The Galaxy became the first MCU movie to be specially formatted for these premium screens with about 36 minutes of footage.
3) Captain America: Civil War (2016)
Detail: Shot with IMAX Digital cameras (One scene in 1.90:1 ratio)
‘Captain America: Civil War’ is the first MCU movie to be shot with IMAX cameras. The 17-minute-long Airport battle scene between Team Iron Man and Captain America was shot with special IMAX 2D Digital cameras.
It was also the first Hollywood movie to use this set of cameras ever made in collaboration with ARRI. They really liked the results, so later these were reused for upcoming Avengers sequels.
4) Doctor Strange (2016)
Detail: Some IMAX scenes in a 1.90:1 ratio (digitally remastered)
Doctor Strange has about 1 hour of footage that uses this format. This magical movie with weird visual shots looks awesome in the expanded format. The ‘Open your eye’ sequence was just something else!
5) Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Detail: Some IMAX scenes in a 1.90:1 ratio (digitally remastered)
About 40 minutes of the footage is specially formatted by the director, including most of the space scenes, Yondu’s arrow sequence, and the final battle on Ego.
6) Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
Detail: Some IMAX scenes in a 1.90:1 ratio (digitally remastered)
42 minutes of Thor 3 is available in this special format, especially the Hulk vs Thor fight and some action sequences of the final Asgard battle.
7) Black Panther (2018)
Detail: Some IMAX scenes in a 1.90:1 ratio (digitally remastered)
Black Panther has about 1 hour of scenes in this format, especially the waterfall scenes and final fight sequence.
8) Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Detail: Full movie shot with IMAX Digital cameras in a 1.90:1 ratio.
‘Avengers: Infinity War’ became the first Hollywood movie to be shot 100% completely in IMAX digital with ARRI Alexa 65 cameras, meaning 26% more footage. From ‘Thor’s entry to Wakanda’ to ‘Titan Battle’ all scenes were given proper justice with this technology.
9) Ant-Man and The Wasp (2018)
Detail: Some IMAX scenes in a 1.90:1 ratio (digitally remastered)
You can watch 27 minutes of Ant-Man 2 in this expandable ratio, including the Wasp kitchen fight and the final 3rd act with Giant-Man as well.
10) Captain Marvel (2019)
Detail: Some IMAX scenes in a 1.90:1 ratio (digitally remastered)
‘Captain Marvel’ also used this expandable ratio for about 36 minutes. The space battle scene looked amazing on the big screen.
11) Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Detail: Full movie shot with IMAX Digital cameras in a 1.90:1 ratio.
‘Avengers: Endgame’ was also completely made with the ARRI Alexa cameras like Infinity War because both movies were shot back to back. The ‘Captain picking Mjolnir’ to ‘Avengers Assemble’ scene was jaw-dropping to watch.
It also became the first movie in India to cross ₹300 crores.
12) Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Detail: Some IMAX scenes in a 1.90:1 ratio (digitally remastered)
MCU’s 2nd Spider-Man movie finally used this immersive format for about 50 minutes. This includes the Hydro-Man & Night-Monkey scene, Mysterio’s Illusion, and the final action scene.
13) Black Widow (2021)
Detail: Some IMAX scenes in a 1.90:1 ratio (digitally remastered)
You can watch only 22 minutes of the movie in this enlarged viewing, especially the last action scene in the air.
14) Shang-Chi and the Legend of The Ten Rings (2021)
Detail: 100% filmed with IMAX-certified cameras in a 1.90:1 ratio.
You can watch the full Shang-Chi movie in a 1.90:1 aspect ratio because it is shot with Arri Alexa LF cameras. First MCU movie to use them. This camera is officially certified by the company. 2021’s Dune was also shot with these.
15) Eternals (2021)
Detail: Some scenes were shot with IMAX-certified cameras in a 1.90:1 ratio and 1.43:1 ratio.
Eternals also used Arri Alexa LF cameras like Shang-Chi, with about 67 minutes in 1.90:1 and 7 minutes in 1.43:1 aspect ratio. This is the first time an MCU movie used a 1.43:1 ratio.
16) Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Detail: 100% filmed with IMAX-certified cameras in a 1.90:1 ratio.
Just like Shang-Chi, ‘No Way Home’ became is available in this format. It was a great experience to watch it in those theatres. The Multiverse opened up in the expanded ratio.
17) Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Detail: 100% filmed with IMAX-certified cameras in a 1.90:1 ratio.
Directed by Sam Raimi, this MCU horror flick is completely expanded for a larger format. It was shot with Panavision Millennium DXL2 cameras.
18) Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Detail: Partially filmed with IMAX-certified cameras in a 1.90:1 ratio.
This Thor 4 movie has a lot of sequences in this expanded format. It is directed by Taika Waititi and he shot it with Arri Alexa LF and Mini LF cameras.
19) Black Panther Wakanda Forever (2022)
Detail: Partially filmed with IMAX-certified cameras in a 1.90:1 ratio.
The sequel of the anticipated Black Panther movie was also given a premium big format that was shot with Sony CineAlta Venice cameras. This includes many underwater scenes and the final battle on the ship as well.
20) Ant-Man and The Wasp Quantumania (2023)
Detail: Partially filmed with IMAX-certified cameras in a 1.90:1 ratio.
Quantumania was one of the biggest movies for Phase 5 of the universe. While it didn’t get the best response, it is definitely visually great. It is reported that around 30-40 minutes of footage is available for larger screen sizes.
21) Guardians of The Galaxy Vol 3 (2023)
Detail: 100% Filmed with IMAX-certified cameras in a 1.90:1 ratio.
The last ride of Guardians of The Galaxy is another Marvel movie to have the entire footage in a 100% full expanded ratio. It is shot with the new Red V Raptor cameras that are loved are director James Gunn. The special fan screening also happened in this format.
22) The Marvels (2023)
Detail: 100% filmed with IMAX-certified cameras in a 1.90:1 ratio.
The Marvels was also another MCU film to be shot with Arri Alexa LF and Mini LF Cameras. While the reviews were not good for this one, the fight scenes and Space Visual Effects were quite good.
23) Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)*
Detail: Not shot for IMAX but featured Frame Breaks in 3D.
While Deadpool & Wolverine is not technically shot for this format, with no taller ratio, they sure uniquely used the big screen with Frame Breaks. What it means is that for some scenes, the elements came out of the confines of the aspect ratio. This enhanced the 3D effect.
For example, one of the Wolverine’s bones in the first fight scenes with TVA crossed over the black bars on top and bottom of the screen.
They used the same technique for Guardians of The Galaxy Vol 2 last time.
What are these new ‘certified’ cameras?
Initially, IMAX only had film-based cameras with around 12K resolution. Christopher Nolan used them for the first time in a major Hollywood movie, ‘The Dark Knight’. Here are DC movies released in IMAX.
But very few directors go for them. This is because these cameras are expensive, noisy, hard to manage, and heavy, which makes shooting with them a time-consuming process.
But then, they shifted to 2D digital cameras which are used for Civil War, Infinity War, and Endgame. Marvel Studios was the first to use them for some of their Phase 3 movies. Hollywood studios are also now moving from film to digital to shoot most movies in the industry.
Now, in 2020, they started a new program, where they started certifying existing high-end cameras by big companies like ARRI, Sony, and RED for their format. These cameras are now called IMAX-certified cameras.
Marvel Studios has opted for 4K ARRI Alexa LF and Mini LF cameras for some of their Phase 4 movies like ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’, ‘Eternals’, ‘Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness’, ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’, ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ and ‘The Marvels’.
Takeaways
So, now you know about all Marvel movies in IMAX. These are either shot with their cameras or digitally re-mastered by their technology.
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.