The sudden wave of 3D movies may seem new, but IMAX theatres were screening these as far back as 1986. The IMAX corporation has recently started adding many digital 3D theatres; in the past, IMAX 3D was all analog. However, linear polarized glasses have carried on from the analog days. This means that you have to keep your head vertical to watch 3D movies; tilting to your head to the side causes distortion, ghosting and double images. This is true for all 3D technologies, but others are much more forgiving and allow you to sit comfortably when your neck starts to ache. This reason for this difference is in the polarization; other 3D companies use circular polarized glasses.
IMAX 3D will be appealing to those who love the kind of movies where the killer's knife appears inches from your face or the bird is flying above the audience. The curved screens, closer viewing and brighter images help to create this effect. Other 3D technology can also create this effect, but to a lesser extent. Instead, the focus is on greater depth within the film, an effect that IMAX theatres struggle to compete with. Of course, this is a question of taste. IMAX is ideal if want to see objects and actors pop out of the screen, but it's not so well suited if you're looking for a subtle and immersive cinematic experience.
IMAX theatres make use of Christie 2K dual-projectors on 3D movies, which create a high-definition image. Its major competition, RealD, uses Sony 4K Digital Cinema and adds a special lens. This creates image quality that is four times better than 1080p.
The major advantage that IMAX has over its 3D competition is not solely related to 3D. IMAX screens are huge; this is the company's big selling point. The standard dimensions are 72 feet by 52.8 feet, but they come considerably larger, too. The screens are also curved to fit your field of view. The sheer size of the movie and the curved screens help the viewer get sucked into the 3D images.