IMAX

Image
Audience inside IMAX Theater watching a movie featuring an astronaut

Turn your visit into an all-day science adventure – visit our exhibit galleries and watch an IMAX movie!

For the safety of our guests, all 3D glasses are cleaned and sanitized before every use.

Transport yourself to awesome new worlds and engage your senses in endless colors and soul-stirring sounds. Every element in our state-of-the-art theater is specially designed to create an immersive experience, ensuring movie magic each time the lights go down. Our IMAX with Laser projection system will draw you into the action like never before. Coupled with IMAX's next-generation 12 channel surround sound system, our seven-story screen brings to life worlds as small as an atom and as vast as the universe. Experience an IMAX movie and get the big picture!

Buy Tickets

The IMAX Concession Stand is temporarily closed through November 2023.

SHOWTIMES

NOW - OCTOBER 19

10:00 a.m. Mystery of the Maya (36 mins.)
11:00 a.m. Blue Whales (45 mins.)
12:00 p.m. Mystery of the Maya (36 mins.)
1:00 p.m. Blue Whales (45 mins.)
2:00 p.m. Mystery of the Maya (36 mins.)
3:00 p.m. Journey to Space 3D (41 mins.)
4:00 p.m. Blue Whales (45 mins.) — only on Saturdays and Sundays

OCTOBER 20 - JANUARY 15 
10:00 a.m. Blue Whales (45 mins.)
11:00 a.m. Mystery of the Maya (36 mins.)
12:00 p.m. Blue Whales (45 mins.)
1:00 p.m. Deep Sky (40 mins.)
2:00 p.m. Mystery of the Maya (36 mins.)
3:00 p.m. Blue Whales (45 mins.)
4:00 p.m. Journey to Space 3D (41 mins.) — only on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays

OPENS OCT. 20—Deep Sky

Image
Deep Sky cover art
Image attribution
IMAX
Image
SMACS 0723 - James Webb Space Telescope captures a cluster of galaxies
Image attribution
NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI

The first image shared from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (known as Webb's First Deep Field) shows galaxy cluster SMACS 0723 overflowing with detail. This was the deepest and sharpest infrared image of the distant universe to date. 

Image
James Webb Space Telescope anniversary photo
Image attribution
NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Klaus Pontoppidan (STScI)

The first anniversary image from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) displays star birth like never seen before, full of detailed, impressionistic texture. The subject is the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex, the closest star-forming region to Earth. 

Image
Carina Nebula captured by the James Webb Space Telescope
Image attribution
NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI

Called the Cosmic Cliffs, this landscape of "mountains" and "valleys" speckled with glittering stars is actually the edge of a nearby, young, star-forming region called NGC 3324 in the Carina Nebula. 

Image
Pillars of Creation captured by the James Webb Space Telescope
Image attribution
NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI; Joseph DePasquale (STScI), Anton M. Koekemoer (STScI), Alyssa Pagan (STScI)

The Pillars of Creation are set off in a kaleidoscope of color in NASA's James Webb Space Telescope’s near-infrared-light view. 

Image
Deep Sky cover art
Image attribution
IMAX
Image
SMACS 0723 - James Webb Space Telescope captures a cluster of galaxies
Image attribution
NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI

The first image shared from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (known as Webb's First Deep Field) shows galaxy cluster SMACS 0723 overflowing with detail. This was the deepest and sharpest infrared image of the distant universe to date. 

Image
James Webb Space Telescope anniversary photo
Image attribution
NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI, Klaus Pontoppidan (STScI)

The first anniversary image from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) displays star birth like never seen before, full of detailed, impressionistic texture. The subject is the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex, the closest star-forming region to Earth. 

Image
Carina Nebula captured by the James Webb Space Telescope
Image attribution
NASA, ESA, CSA, and STScI

Called the Cosmic Cliffs, this landscape of "mountains" and "valleys" speckled with glittering stars is actually the edge of a nearby, young, star-forming region called NGC 3324 in the Carina Nebula. 

Image
Pillars of Creation captured by the James Webb Space Telescope
Image attribution
NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI; Joseph DePasquale (STScI), Anton M. Koekemoer (STScI), Alyssa Pagan (STScI)

The Pillars of Creation are set off in a kaleidoscope of color in NASA's James Webb Space Telescope’s near-infrared-light view. 

Slider info

NOW PLAYINGMystery of the Maya

Image
Pyramid background with sun radiating at the top. Mystery of the Maya title overlay.
Image attribution
K2 Studios
Image
Archaeologist shares her findings.
Image attribution
K2 Studios

An archaeologist takes a young Maya descendant through spectacular ancient ruins as they unlock the secrets of the past.  

Image
Maya pyramid in Chichen Itza
Image attribution
K2 Studios

The Castle or Pyramid of Kukulcan in the ancient city of Chichen Itza is one of the tallest and most remarkable examples of Maya architecture.

Image
A view of Tulum from the sea
Image attribution
K2 Studios

A view of the Maya city of Tulum from the sea. Tulum was the only Maya city built on a coast. 

Image
Young Maya descendant sketches a Maya artifact.
Image attribution
K2 Studios

A young Maya descendant sketches a Maya glyph.

Image
Ancient Maya ruins
Image attribution
K2 Studios

The Maya had incredible architectural skills and built everything from simple dwellings to incredibly detailed palaces and temples. 

Image
Ancient Maya ruins
Image attribution
K2 Studios

An archaelogical site of ancient Maya ruins.

Image
Cave in ancient Maya civilization
Image attribution
K2 Studios

Descendants of the ancient Maya pray to the gods that they have worshiped for more than 100 generations. 

Image
Pyramid background with sun radiating at the top. Mystery of the Maya title overlay.
Image attribution
K2 Studios
Image
Archaeologist shares her findings.
Image attribution
K2 Studios

An archaeologist takes a young Maya descendant through spectacular ancient ruins as they unlock the secrets of the past.  

Image
Maya pyramid in Chichen Itza
Image attribution
K2 Studios

The Castle or Pyramid of Kukulcan in the ancient city of Chichen Itza is one of the tallest and most remarkable examples of Maya architecture.

Image
A view of Tulum from the sea
Image attribution
K2 Studios

A view of the Maya city of Tulum from the sea. Tulum was the only Maya city built on a coast. 

Image
Young Maya descendant sketches a Maya artifact.
Image attribution
K2 Studios

A young Maya descendant sketches a Maya glyph.

Image
Ancient Maya ruins
Image attribution
K2 Studios

The Maya had incredible architectural skills and built everything from simple dwellings to incredibly detailed palaces and temples. 

Image
Ancient Maya ruins
Image attribution
K2 Studios

An archaelogical site of ancient Maya ruins.

Image
Cave in ancient Maya civilization
Image attribution
K2 Studios

Descendants of the ancient Maya pray to the gods that they have worshiped for more than 100 generations. 

Slider info

NOW PLAYING—Blue Whales 3D

Image
Blue whale and diver underwater.
Image attribution
SK Films
Image
Blue whale and diver underwater.
Image attribution
SK Films

Blue whales have been found in all oceans around the world except for the Arctic Ocean.

Image
Blue whale mother and calf swim together underwater
Image attribution
SK Films

Newborn blue whales are big babies! They can reach about 23 feet in length and can weigh 5,000 to 6,000 pounds at birth.

Image
Blue whale feeds on krill.
Image attribution
SK Films

The blue whale's favorite food is krill, or small shrimp-like animals. They can eat up to 12,000 pounds of krill a day during the feeding season.

Image
Aerial view of blue whale
Image attribution
SK Films

Blue whales are currently listed as an endangered species.

Image
Research crew watches for blue whales on a boat.
Image attribution
SK Films

Today there are between 5,000 to 10,000 blue whales in the Southern Hemisphere and about 3,000 to 4,000 blue whales in the Northern Hemisphere. Researchers like Dr. Diane Gendron and Jasivi Arcos (shown above) study blue whales so we can continue to help their populations recover.

Image
Blue whale and diver underwater.
Image attribution
SK Films
Image
Blue whale and diver underwater.
Image attribution
SK Films

Blue whales have been found in all oceans around the world except for the Arctic Ocean.

Image
Blue whale mother and calf swim together underwater
Image attribution
SK Films

Newborn blue whales are big babies! They can reach about 23 feet in length and can weigh 5,000 to 6,000 pounds at birth.

Image
Blue whale feeds on krill.
Image attribution
SK Films

The blue whale's favorite food is krill, or small shrimp-like animals. They can eat up to 12,000 pounds of krill a day during the feeding season.

Image
Aerial view of blue whale
Image attribution
SK Films

Blue whales are currently listed as an endangered species.

Image
Research crew watches for blue whales on a boat.
Image attribution
SK Films

Today there are between 5,000 to 10,000 blue whales in the Southern Hemisphere and about 3,000 to 4,000 blue whales in the Northern Hemisphere. Researchers like Dr. Diane Gendron and Jasivi Arcos (shown above) study blue whales so we can continue to help their populations recover.

Slider info

NOW PLAYING—Journey to Space 3D

Image
Image

Crowds watch Space Shuttle Endeavour being transported through the streets of Los Angeles to its home at the California Science Center.

Image

Space Shuttle Endeavour on the launch pad. 

Image

NASA's next generation moon rover, the Space Exploration Vehicle (SEV). The SEV is one of NASA’s concepts for a new generation of flexible vehicles that can transport astronauts across near-earth asteroids and Mars.

Image

Rocket launch at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Image

Space Shuttle Atlantis on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Image
Image

Crowds watch Space Shuttle Endeavour being transported through the streets of Los Angeles to its home at the California Science Center.

Image

Space Shuttle Endeavour on the launch pad. 

Image

NASA's next generation moon rover, the Space Exploration Vehicle (SEV). The SEV is one of NASA’s concepts for a new generation of flexible vehicles that can transport astronauts across near-earth asteroids and Mars.

Image

Rocket launch at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Image

Space Shuttle Atlantis on display at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

Slider info
Accessibility Services & Amenities View Details

Here at the California Science Center, we want all guests to participate equally in the excitement of experiencing science! We are committed to breaking down any barriers to access. If you have questions about accessibility that are not answered here, please call us at 213-744-2019; email us at [email protected]; or stop by our Information Desk just inside the main entrance.

Learn More

Closed Captioning View Details

Closed captions for the hearing impaired are available. Learn more about Closed Captioning for our IMAX movies.

A family wearing 3D glasses and watching a film in the IMAX theater
Special Offers for Members

Support a dynamic educational resource and enjoy a year of special experiences, including IMAX movie previews and ticket discounts. Join today to launch your science adventure!

Image
Guest Services facilitator sits on floor with puppet in hand and plays with young children in the Ecosystem Discovery Room reading area
Image attribution
Tracie Spence Photography

Your patronage supports science learning

The California Science Center is a non-profit organization. Your IMAX ticket purchase helps fund our exhibit and education programs. The IMAX movies we show support our mission to stimulate curiosity and inspire science learning in everyone. Thank you for choosing the California Science Center IMAX Theater!