Features & Documentaries
IMAX® Dome Theater in Birmingham, AL
A Theater Experience Like No OtherPlease note: IMAX Dome films typically begin close to their scheduled showtime, with limited previews and advertisements before the feature.
About the McWane Science Center IMAX® Dome
The John W. Woods IMAX® Dome Theater features 250 seats beneath a 5-story, 79’ diameter tilted dome screen that fills your entire field of vision. Welcome to the pinnacle of cinematic immersion. Featuring a revolutionary IMAX® with Laser projection system, McWane Science Center’s theater is the only IMAX® Dome in the Southeast.
This theatre now features IMAX® with Laser technology – a next generation laser projection system and 12-channel sound system exclusive to IMAX theatres. IMAX® with Laser is immersive by design, developed from the ground-up to deliver crystal clear, lifelike images and precision sound for a moviegoing experience unlike anything else.
IMAX® with Laser is IMAX’s most advanced theatre experience. It is set apart by a groundbreaking 4k laser projection system that features a new optical engine, custom designed lenses, and a suite of proprietary technology that delivers sharper and brighter images with increased resolution, deeper contrast, and the widest range of colors exclusively to IMAX screens worldwide.
2026 Season Presented By
45m Runtime | Rated G | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Drawing on decades of work by the world’s most famous living ethologist and environmentalist, Jane Goodall – Reasons for Hope is an uplifting journey around the globe to highlight good news stories that will inspire people to make a difference in the world around them.
Featured stories such as the Northern Bald Ibis’ migration over the Alps, the re-introduction of the American Bison by the Blackfeet Nation, the worldwide recognized Sudbury Regreening Story, and inspiring youth-led initiatives involved in Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots align with historic footage of Jane’s beginnings as a chimpanzee researcher.
Throughout, the film reinforces Jane’s four pillars of hope that signal tremendous hope for the future: the amazing human intellect, the resilience of nature, the power and dedication of young people, and the indomitable human spirit.
Jane revolutionized how we view the world around us. Join her on this adventure of inspiration and hope.
David Lickley
Jane Goodall
Peter Beckett
Ervin Carlson
Johannes Fritz
45m Runtime | Rated G | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Shark Kingdom is an epic family adventure in some of the world’s most scenic and remote shark waters. Follow shark heroes Jess Cramp, Liv Rose and Cristina Zenato as they dive into the kingdom of sharks, come face to face with these awe-inspiring creatures and uncover their secrets to fight for the future of our shared oceans.
Dave Duce
Matt Tomaszewski
James Seawood
Jess Cramp
Liv Rose
Cristina Zenato
28m Runtime | Rated G | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Shark Kingdom is an epic family adventure in some of the world’s most scenic and remote shark waters. Follow shark heroes Jess Cramp, Liv Rose and Cristina Zenato as they dive into the kingdom of sharks, come face to face with these awe-inspiring creatures and uncover their secrets to fight for the future of our shared oceans.
Dave Duce
Matt Tomaszewski
James Seawood
Jess Cramp
Liv Rose
Cristina Zenato
20m Runtime | Rated G | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Experience the inspiring journey of animals given a second chance at a wild life in this giant screen adventure. Based on the work at the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network, this uplifting film follows the dedicated teams who rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured and orphaned wild animals. From the arrival of a fragile bobcat to the rehabilitation of a young fox, explore hospital admissions, groundbreaking medical treatments, and the delicate balance of wildlife care. Baby birds, nocturnal creatures, and even pelicans undergoing surgery highlight the interconnectedness of all species and the innovative efforts of modern conservation. With breathtaking cinematography and heartwarming moments, Wild Rescue reminds us that every creature deserves a second chance—and that hope is worth fighting for.
Ian Shive
2h 12m Runtime | Rated PG-13 | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
The evil Empire has fallen but Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they enlist the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin and his young apprentice Grogu.
Jon Favreau
Martin Scorsese
Pedro Pascal
Sigourney Weaver
STAR WARS: THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU contains several sequences with flashing lights that may affect those who are susceptible to photosensitive epilepsy or have other photosensitivities.
July 9 – 15 | 1h 30m Runtime | Rated PG | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Fresh off the worldwide blockbuster success of summer 2024’s funniest comedy, Despicable Me 4, Illumination expands its joyful animated universe with a riotous new chapter, featuring all-new characters, in the biggest global animated franchise in history: Minions & Monsters.
This is the rambunctious, ridiculous and totally true story of how the Minions conquered Hollywood, became movie stars, lost everything, unleashed monsters onto the world and then banded together to try and save the planet from the mayhem they had just created.
Pierre Coffin
Zoey Deutch
Allison Janney
Christoph Waltz
July 9 – 15 | 2h Runtime | Rated PG | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
In Disney’s live-action reimagining of the beloved Oscar®-nominated animated adventure, Moana (Catherine Lagaʻaia) answers the Ocean’s call and, for the first time, voyages beyond the reef of her island of Motunui with the infamous demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) on an unforgettable journey to restore prosperity to her people. The film is directed by Emmy® and Tony Award® winner Thomas Kail (“Hamilton”); produced by Dwayne Johnson, Beau Flynn, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia and Lin-Manuel Miranda; and executive produced by Thomas Kail, Scott Sheldon, Charles Newirth and Auliʻi Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated features “Moana” and “Moana 2.”
Thomas Kail
Catherine Lagaʻaia
Dwayne Johnson
John Tui
Frankie Adams
Rena Owen
2h 52m Runtime | Rated R | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
After the Trojan War, Odysseus faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens, and Calypso along the way.
Christopher Nolan’s next film, The Odyssey, is a mythic action epic shot across the world using brand new IMAX® film technology. The film brings Homer’s foundational saga to IMAX® film screens for the first time and opens in theaters everywhere on July 17, 2026.
Christopher Nolan
Matt Damon
Tom Holland
Anne Hathaway
Robert Pattinson
Lupita Nyong’o
Zendaya
Charlize Theron
42m Runtime | NR | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Narrated by Academy Award® winner Jeff Bridges, Dream Big: Engineering Our World is a first of its kind film for IMAX® and giant screen theatres that will transform how we think about engineering. From the Great Wall of China and the world’s tallest buildings, to underwater robots, solar cars and smart, sustainable cities, Dream Big celebrates the human ingenuity behind engineering marvels big and small, and reveals the heart that drives engineers to create better lives for people around the world.
Greg MacGillivray
Jeff Bridges
1 hr 42 min Runtime | PG | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
The toys are back in Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5,” and this time it’s Toy meets Tech. Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the rest of the gang’s jobs are challenged when they’re introduced to what kids are obsessed with today….electronics! Directed by Andrew Stanton, co-directed by Kenna Harris and produced by Lindsey Collins, “Toy Story 5” opens only in theaters on June 19, 2026.
Andrew Stanton
Kenna Harris
Lindsey Collins
2 hr 25 min Runtime | PG-13 | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
If you found out we weren’t alone, if someone showed you, proved it to you, would that frighten you? This summer, the truth belongs to eight billion people. We are coming close to … Disclosure Day.
Steven Spielberg
Emily Blunt
Josh O’Connor
Colin Firth
Eve Hewson
Colman Domingo
Kristie Macosko Krieger
Steven Spielberg
1h 40min Runtime | Rated PG-13 | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Baz Luhrmann returns to Elvis with EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert, a powerful, interview-free film built from newly discovered archival footage capturing the early days of Presley’s legendary Las Vegas residency and showcasing his electrifying performances and deep musical roots. From intimate rehearsals to unforgettable live moments, this poignant portrait celebrates Elvis’s artistry and evolution into a showbiz icon. Don’t miss it in IMAX!
Baz Luhrmann
Elvis Presley
3h 15m Runtime | Rating TBA | Closed Caption and Audio Description Available
Return to the world of Jame’s Cameron’s Avatar. Jake and Neytiri’s family grapples with grief after Neteyam’s death, encountering a new, aggressive Na’vi tribe, the Ash People, who are led by the fiery Varang, as the conflict on Pandora escalates and a new moral focus emerges.
James Cameron
Sam Worthington
Zoe Saldaña
Sigourney Weaver
Stephen Lang
Oona Chaplin
Cliff Curtis
Kate Winslet
Britain Dalton
Trinity Jo-Li Bliss
Jack Champion
Bailey Bass
43m Runtime | Rated G | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Join the crew of a giant freight train for an eye-popping, music-infused journey across America. Giant diesels, spectacular terrain, tens of thousands of miles of track—and millions of pounds of freight that can’t wait.
Created by the director of the celebrated IMAX® Experience Rocky Mountain Express and his team, Train Time is captured on 15/70mm motion picture film, the world’s largest film format for exhibition in IMAX® and other giant screen theaters.
To deliver the cargo, Train Time propels audiences through the rugged beauty and vastness of the American landscape, revealing the brutal challenges of railroading, as well as secrets of the art and science of running the greatest trains. Weaving together present-tech and racing steam locomotives, grit, glamour and glorious landscapes, Train Time immerses viewers in a grand tapestry of American railroading.
Climb aboard for the biggest adventure on wheels.
Simon Anthony
Jake Lawrence
Ryan Thornburg
Stephen Low
1h 40m Runtime | Rated G | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
When a doubting young boy takes a train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe.
Robert Zemeckis
Tom Hanks
Leslie Zemeckis
Eddie Deezen
Nona Gaye
Peter Scolari
46m Runtime | Rated G | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Soar with The Blue Angels in a brand-new documentary featuring never-before-seen footage that chronicles a year with the Navy’s elite Flight Demonstration Squadron—from selection through the challenging training and demanding show season—showcasing the extraordinary teamwork, passion, and pride that fuels America’s best, the Blue Angels.
Paul Crowder
40m Runtime | Closed Caption and Audio Description Available
Narrated by Academy Award winner Matthew McConaughey, Superhuman Body: World of Medical Marvels explores the inner workings of the human body and the incredible breakthroughs in science and bioengineering that are changing the course of human health. Told through the inspiring personal stories behind these groundbreaking medical innovations, Superhuman Body shows the extraordinary ways our bodies work, and how science and technology help us to intervene when things go wrong.
Matthew McConaughey
Greg MacGillivray
94m Runtime | Rated G | Close Caption and Audio Description Available
Ready for takeoff? Glen Powell and J.J. Abrams invite you to experience the ride of a lifetime this May when The Blue Angels soars into IMAX. The Blue Angels follows the veterans and newest class of Navy and Marine Corps flight squadron as they go through intense training and into a season of heart-stopping aerial artistry.
Omar Shariff
Kate Maberly
Timothy Davies
Paul Crowder
1hr 30m Runtime | Rated PG | Closed Caption and Audio Description Available
The Grinch tells the story of a cynical grump who goes on a mission to steal Christmas, only to have his heart changed by a young girl’s generous holiday spirit.
Scott Mosier
Yarrow Cheney
Benedict Cumberbatch
Cameron Seely
Rashida Jones
Mindy Sterling
Pharell Williams
Angela Lansbury
Kenan Thompson
Scarlett Estevez
Tucker Chandler
Sam Lavagnino
Townsend Coleman
Lori Alan
James Hood’s Beautifica
From the creators of the multi award-winning MESMERICA comes a brand-new epic immersive experience unlike any other.
Beautifica is a 360 journey through worlds real and imagined, from mindblowing particle fields to unashamedly euphoric fantastic environments almost impossible to describe.
The brainchild of visionary composer James Hood working with some of the finest immersive animators on the planet, this family-friendly show is a feast for the senses, which will leave your spirit refreshed and your face grinning ear to ear.
IMAX® Dome Frequently Asked Questions
The IMAX® Dome is designed to fill your entire field of vision as audio surrounds you to create a truly immersive sight and sound experience. The screen is comprised of hundreds of precision-engineered and highly reflective perforated aluminum panels. The laser projection system creates images of unsurpassed contrast, clarity, and luminance. And six channels of ultra-high fidelity digital surround sound deliver clear, enveloping audio. It’s truly a theater experience like no other!
Refreshments are offered at our Concession Stand, located at the entrance to the IMAX® Dome Theater, including fresh gourmet popcorn, assorted candies, and bottled soft drinks. The concession stand opens fifteen minutes before the first scheduled movie and closes after the last queued guest is served following the final scheduled movie of the day.
We’re sorry, but all ticket purchases are non-refundable.
Yes! We offer museum combo tickets that include one IMAX ® ticket and general admission to the museum. Do note that combo tickets can only be purchased for documentary-length films, and not feature-length films. To learn more about combo tickets and museum admissions, visit our Purchase Tickets page.
Questions About the IMAX® Dome Theater?
Please reach out to our Reservations Department for questions about the movie-going experience here at McWane Science Center. Our Reservations Department can answer your questions about the theater. For all other inquiries, please visit our contact page.

















