IMAX grand opening (East Tennessean)

Kingsport’s NCG Cinema cut the ribbon on the new IMAX theater at Fort Henry Mall in mid-July.

IMAX theaters create a movie experience with the largest, slightly curved screen for movie watchers. The screen stretches more than 70 feet wide and 50 feet tall.

“I’ve seen 9 [movies] so far this year and being close to the IMAX will make me want to go see any there that I can,” said ETSU freshman Avery Young, who was among the first to see a movie in the IMAX on grand opening day.

Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” was the first film to take the screen. “The Odyssey” follows Odysseus on his long, dangerous journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War. The movie has an impressive cast with stars: Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya and more.

“The IMAX made you feel like you were there with the screen being so big,” said Aleezay Leondard, Northeast State freshman, also in attendance on opening day.

The IMAX was announced in 2023 as phase I of NCG. After a brief mid-August shutdown of the NCG complex, the other theaters at the mall location are scheduled to reopen Aug. 28 with reclining seats in all theatres and more food options. A full-service bar will also open in fall.

Previously, the closest IMAX theaters were in Knoxville, Chattanooga or Nashville. ETSU students can now drive 20 minutes to Kingsport to see an IMAX movie.

“It’s going to be a lot. I think it’s going to attract new business, new opportunity, and new forms of entertainment,” Jeff Geiger, CEO of Neighborhood Cinema Group, said. “It’s obviously going to pull in people from neighboring communities to come experience this in Kingsport.”

The IMAX theater is located at 2101 Fort Henry Dive, Kingsport, at the Fort Henry Mall. Tickets range from $15.50 for a matinee to $18.25 for an evening showing and can be purchased at the box office or online at https://www.ncgmovies.com/movie-theater/kingsport.

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