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Where can I see a movie in 70mm IMAX in San Diego?

3 min read Checked November 5, 2026 Report a correction

Nowhere in San Diego County. The nearest 70mm IMAX film screen is Regal Irvine Spectrum, about 79 miles from downtown. Local IMAX screens are digital, including IMAX with Laser at the Fleet Science Center's dome.

70mm in SD County
None

As of 2026

Nearest 70mm
Irvine Spectrum

~79 mi from downtown

First IMAX dome
1973

Fleet Science Center

Local IMAX screens
5

All digital

The short version

  • Eight California theaters showed The Odyssey in 70mm IMAX film in 2026; none were in San Diego County
  • Regal Irvine Spectrum is the closest 70mm IMAX: about 79 miles and 1.5 hours from downtown with no traffic
  • The Fleet Science Center's dome, home of the world's first IMAX Dome theater (1973), retired its 70mm projector in 2021 for IMAX with Laser
  • IMAX screens in the county: Regal Edwards Mira Mesa, AMC Mission Valley 20, AMC Palm Promenade 24 and Regal Parkway Plaza

If a film is billed as "IMAX 70mm," San Diegans have to drive to Orange County or LA to see it on film. Every IMAX screen in San Diego County is digital. We checked the 2026 list of 70mm IMAX venues and local theater records on November 5, 2026.

Where's the nearest 70mm IMAX to San Diego?

California theaters that showed The Odyssey in 70mm IMAX (2026)

  • Regal Irvine Spectrum + IMAX

    City
    Irvine
    From downtown San Diego
    ~79 mi, ~1.5 hrs no traffic

  • Regal Edwards Ontario Palace & IMAX

    City
    Ontario
    From downtown San Diego
    Inland Empire

  • Regal LA Live & IMAX

    City
    Los Angeles
    From downtown San Diego
    ~121 mi

  • TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX

    City
    Hollywood
    From downtown San Diego
    LA

  • Universal Cinema AMC at CityWalk

    City
    Universal City
    From downtown San Diego
    LA

  • AMC Metreon 16 & IMAX

    City
    San Francisco
    From downtown San Diego
    —

  • Regal Hacienda Crossings

    City
    Dublin
    From downtown San Diego
    —

  • Esquire IMAX

    City
    Sacramento
    From downtown San Diego
    —

Source: Time Out, July 29, 2026. Distances: OpenStreetMap routing.

Which San Diego theaters have IMAX?

IMAX in San Diego County

  • Regal Edwards Mira Mesa

    Where
    10733 Westview Pkwy., Mira Mesa
    Notes
    Auditorium 1; moviegoers report IMAX with Laser

  • AMC Mission Valley 20

    Where
    Westfield Mission Valley (Camino del Rio North lot)
    Notes
    Also has Dolby Cinema

  • AMC Palm Promenade 24

    Where
    770 Dennery Rd., Otay Mesa/San Ysidro
    Notes
    Moviegoers report IMAX with Laser in Theatre 13

  • Regal Parkway Plaza

    Where
    405 Parkway Plaza, El Cajon
    Notes
    Listed by IMAX; check showtimes

  • Heikoff Giant Dome, Fleet Science Center

    Where
    1875 El Prado, Balboa Park
    Notes
    IMAX with Laser on a dome; mostly documentaries
IMAX screens in San Diego
1
2
3
4
Leaflet © OpenStreetMap contributors

Multiplex IMAX

Dome

Addresses geocoded with the U.S. Census geocoder.

See these on the full San Diego map

San Diego's IMAX history is bigger than its current lineup: the Fleet's Giant Dome opened in 1973 as the world's first IMAX Dome theater. It ran 70mm film for 48 years before switching to IMAX with Laser in October 2021.

Is this still right?

We last checked this tip against its sources on November 5, 2026, and we re-research every tip on a schedule. Things in San Diego change, sometimes overnight.

Bars, restaurants and hotels change owners, hours, menus and even team loyalties faster than anyone can keep up. Call ahead or check the place's own website or social accounts before you go.

This is general information, not legal, financial, tax, medical or safety advice.

SOURCES

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