Onsite Operations Update
Pacific Science Center’s onsite operations remain limited. Our Planetarium is not open to the public at this time. However, we are continuing to serve the community as we undergo our renewal.
Seattle’s Ultimate IMAX Experience
Pacific Science Center is home of Seattle’s Ultimate IMAX Experience with two state-of-the-art theaters. See the latest movies in the Boeing IMAX Theater, one of the most advanced digital projection system designed specifically for giant IMAX screens. Films come to life on the six stories high (60 feet) and 80 feet wide screen during both 2D and 3D showings.
Plus, you support science education across Washington state when you enjoy movies at PacSci’s theaters!
Streaming Documentaries
We’re happy to bring you some of our educational documentaries available on streaming services at a no- or low-cost. Watch some of the old favorites as well as new adventures.
Streaming Documentaries
We’re happy to bring you some of our educational documentaries available on streaming services at a no- or low-cost. Watch some of the old favorites as well as new adventures.
America’s Musical Journey
Available on: YouTube (free) as well as Apple TV and GoUSA TV via Roku
Go on a cross-country journey celebrating the unique diversity of America’s musical heritage.
Coral Reef Adventure
Available on: Amazon Prime
Explore the world’s most beautiful and endangered coral reefs across the South Pacific. Follow filmmakers on an expedition documenting coral reefs, their ecosystems, and the importance of the creatures that live there.
Decoding the Weather Machine
Available on: PBS, NOVA Season 45 Episode 7 (free)
Recently, earth has been experiencing extreme weather events, and many scientists agree: something’s up with the weather. Climate change is causing weather to be hotter and more erratic. Cut through the confusion around climate change in this documentary.
Dinosaurs Alive!
Available on: Giant Screen Films | PacSci Movie Nights
A global adventure of science and discovery featuring the earliest dinosaurs of the Triassic Period to the monsters of the Cretaceous. Journey with some of the world’s preeminent paleontologists as they uncover evidence that the descendants of dinosaurs still walk (or fly) among us.
Dolphins
Available on: Amazon Prime
Wondering how dolphins communicate? Watch this Academy Award nominated documentary to get a playful, up-close look at the dolphins of Alaska, Patagonia and the Bahamas. Discover new perspectives on their remarkable intelligence.
Download the Educator’s Guide
View additional educational resources
Dream Big: Engineering Our World
Available on: Vimeo on Demand
Transform how you think about engineering in this documentary narrated by Jeff Bridges. See the inspiring stories of innovations big and small and the engineers behind them while thinking about ways to create a more sustainable future for us all.
Download the Educator’s Guide
View additional educational resources
Hubble
Available on: Amazon Prime
Journey through distant galaxies, and go with astronauts as they attempt the most important task in NASA’s history. This film, narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, gives an inspiring look into the Hubble Space Telescope’s legacy.
Humpback Whales
Available on: Vimeo on Demand
This extraordinary journey, narrated by Ewan McGregor, takes you into the mysterious world of one of nature’s most awe-inspiring marine mammals. Get an up-close look at how humpback whales communicate, sing, feed, play and take care of their young.
Download the Educator Guide
View additional educational videos
National Parks Adventure
Available on: Vimeo on Demand
Looking for an adventure? Robert Redford takes us on an ultimate off-trail journey into the nation’s untamed wilderness in places like Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and many more. Soar over red rock canyons, hurtle up craggy mountain peaks, and venture into other-worldly realms.
Download the Educator’s Guide
View additional educational resources
St. Helens: Out of the Ash
Available on: PBS Documentaries (free)
On May 18, 1980 Mt. St. Helens erupted and captured the attention of the world. Watch the story of the cataclysmic events of that day, and the miraculous resiliency of Nature as life returns out of the ash.
The Last Reef
Available on: Giant Screen Films | PacSci Movie Nights
Exotic coral reefs, vibrant sea walls in the sub-arctic pulsating with anemones and crustaceans: these biodiversity hot spots are as vital to our lives as the rainforests. Groundbreaking macro cinematography explores these cities beneath the sea.
The Living Sea
Available on: Amazon Prime
This mesmerizing Academy Award-nominated film brings together the sounds of Sting and the voice of Meryl Streep with the wonders of the ocean. Celebrate the beauty and diversity of the ocean and explore our relationship with this complex and fragile environment.
Mummies: Secrets of the Pharaohs
Available on: Giant Screen Films | PacSci Movie Nights
Follow researchers and explorers as they piece together the archaeological and genetic clues of Egyptian mummies. This film tells the story of one of the greatest finds in modern history: the late 19th century discovery of a cache of forty mummies, including twelve Kings of Egypt, among them the legendary Ramsese the Great.
Mysteries of China
Available on: Giant Screen Films | PacSci Movie Nights
Through the lens of one of the great archaeological events of the modern age – the discovery of the Terracotta Warriors and the First Emperor’s Tomb – Mysteries of China reveals the underlying story of how this world superpower came to be.
Van Gogh: Brush with Genius
Available on: Amazon Prime
Retrace Van Gogh’s artistic journey from the time of his first canvases at age 27 to his death 9 years later—a period during which he painted more than 900 paintings. See his art take on new life in this experiential film.
Wild Ocean
Available on: Giant Screen Films | PacSci Movie Nights
Explore the interplay between man and our endangered ecosystem. This film highlights on of nature’s greatest migration spectacles, plunging viewers into an underwater feeding frenzy where whales, sharks, dolphins, seals, gannets and billions of fish collide with the most voracious sea predator, mankind.
Waking the T.Rex
Available on: Giant Screen Films | PacSci Movie Nights
This film traces the life of one of the most fearsome predators of the Cretaceous. Join scientists as they decipher fossile clues to piece otgether the lifelong struggles, from nest to death, of the famous Tyrannosaurus rex: SUE.
Wonders of the Arctic
Available on: Giant Screen Films | PacSci Movie Nights
This film centers on our ongoing mission to explore and come to terms with the Arctic. Underlying all these tales is the crucial role that ice plays in the northern environment and the changes that are quickly overtaking the people and animals who have adapted to a land of ice and snow.
Stream Movies Through Your Local Library
Our friends at the library have got you covered with Kanopy and Hoopla.
Stream Through Kanopy / Hoopla
What is Kanopy / Hoopla?
Kanopy and Hoopla are two distinct streaming services that have partnered with library systems throughout the nation to provide free access to any and all members of the library! All you need is a library card and you can login from home on your computer or phone (both sites have their own apps), and stream movies (even compatible with Chromecast, Roku, and other such devices). Each service has it’s own amount of “credits” available each month. Use credits to “check out” a film and they’re automatically “returned” after three days. Perfect for the quarantine blues, especially given that both services have a massive selection of films.
How do I sign up?
First, make sure you have a library card through your local library! If you don’t, many systems have adjusted to COVID-19 by allowing for online registration for a virtual “e-card,” which will let you access any of their digital services. Once approved, and given your library card information, you can oftentimes login directly through Kanopy & Hoopla’s websites, or follow links provided on your library system’s pages. Be sure to check around beyond just those– many of these systems also have additional services they offer online that you can access with your card!
Films On Kanopy
Below are a few films from several genres that we think will make the perfect use of your new streaming services, and we’ve tried to focus on stuff that you probably haven’t even heard of!
Kids
A Town Called Panic (2009): A French children’s film with absolutely delightful stopmotion adventure starring characters based off children’s toys.
Ernest & Celestine (2012): French animated film and a beautiful critically-acclaimed fable that was even nominated for an Academy Award!
Patema Inverted (2013): A mind-bending anime sci-fi film about heroes in a dystopian world that will undoubtedly delight and entrance!
Nocturna (2007): A fantastical blend of fairy tales with an almost alien world to tell a story about a young boy recovering stars from the sky.
Dinosaurs Alive! (2007): A short documentary on what we know about dinosaurs, how they look, and what paleontologists can learn from fossils!
Educational
NOVA: Black Hole Apocalypse (2018): A PBS’ documentary series on everything we know about black holes.
Anthropocene: The Human Epoch (2019): Haunting documentary examining the environmental effects across the globe of mankind’s recklessness.
Rodents of Unusual Size (2018): A documentary that looks at the impact giant South American swamp rats have on the livelihoods of Louisiana fishermen.
The Poisoner’s Handbook (2014): Learn all about the development of forensics science at the turn of the century, a time when most American’s medicine cabinets easily contained everything you’d need to pull off a murder.
At the Fork (2016): The facts of the modern farming industry, and the way the meat we eat is raised and treated, is explored candidly and with a balanced eye in this documentary.
Science-Fiction
High Life (2019): A cerebral, slow-burn film, focusing on the years-long dramas and turmoils of a colony of ex-felons sent into the farthest reaches of space as part of an experiment.
Death Watch (1980): A grim satire that predicted our future of reality television superstars.
Coherence (2014): Mysterious events occur at a dinner party on the evening of a comet passing over Earth– but is that all that is at play?
Brain Damage (1988): A classic 80’s “B-Movie”, Brain Damage focuses on a teenager besieged by an alien parasite that leaves him euphoric– and craving brains!
Electronic Labyrinth: THX 1138 4EB (1967): Before he made Star Wars, legendary director George Lucas created this incredibly ambitious science fiction short as part of his film school graduation.
Horror
Ringu (1998): See the original Japanese ghost story that inspired the “J-Horror” craze in America! It’s a classic of Japanese horror cinema for a reason.
Good Manners (2017): A Portugese horror film with an unbelievable ending, about a nanny whose client might have more to ask of her than she expects.
Black Christmas (1974): One of the classics of the 70s horror & slasher craze, Black Christmas has been so foundational it was remade twice (!!) in America!
Fury Of The Demon (2019): A mockumentary about the existence of an allegedly cursed film, one that drives audiences who watch it to madness and terror.
Suspiria (1977): A fantastically weird horror film from legendary Italian director Dario Argento, Suspiria is a cult classic with incredible & striking visuals. A must-see!
IMAX Staff’s Personal Recommendations
First Reformed (2017): An incredibly moving film about a priest’s crisis of faith and radicalization of his politics in the face of corporate environmental destruction and the commodification of his local parish.
Leave No Trace (2016): A heartbreaking & sympathetic portrait of a father & daughter who sleep outdoors due to the father’s traumatic history, and the tensions that arise.
The Fits (2016): Young tomboy Toni finds herself drawn into the allure of her school’s dance troupe, just as a mysterious plague of seizures & fits seems to overtake them.
Lady Vengeance (2005): A revenge thriller like no other. Absolutely not for the faint of heart, but one of the most intense explorations of anger & obsessive resentment in cinema.
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014): A groovy, moody Iranian film about a skateboarder vampire girl in an alienating industrial city, and her neighbors aspirations to get out by any means necessary.
Films On Hoopla
Even if Kanopy doesn’t seem up your alley, Hoopla is absolutely worth exploring to make quarantine a bit more bearable– in addition to offering more credits each month, Hoopla also allows library patrons to check-out comics, television shows, even music! Their movie selection is also a lot broader than Kanopy’s, offering a wonderful mix of mainstream, obscure, and fun lowbrow films– think of it as a throwback to the selections you used to find at old video rental stores! But, the options can also be a little paralyzing, so here’s some specific titles we recommend checking out!
Kids
Moomins And The Comet Chase (2016): A stopmotion romp about Moomins that captures the heart and charm of the inspiring series!
Penguin Highway (2018): A critically acclaimed anime that focuses on a young boy’s investigation into the mysterious appearance of penguins in his hometown village!
All Dogs Go To Heaven (1989): The greatest of Don Bluth’s studio’s work––this Burt Reynolds vehicle about a con artist dog who finds himself acting as a young orphan’s guardian angel.
Babar: King Of The Elephants (1999): This film follows the life and accomplishments of Babar, a gentlemanly elephant who returns home to the forest after being separated and raised in Paris.
The Pokémon Movies (1998): The first three Pokémon films, a great nostalgia trip for those who were young’uns in the late-90’s or early-2000’s!
Educational
Australian Penguins (2017): A short, charming little documentary about the smallest species of penguins known to man who live– surprisingly– on an island off the coast of Australia.
Chernobyl: 30 Years On (2016): This documentary examines the lingering effects of the nuclear meltdown, and precautions that must still be taken to this day to keep people safe.
Wolves: A Legend Returns To Yellowstone (2007): National Geographic presents one of the definitive documentaries on wolves, the lives within their packs, and their place within the Western ecosystem.
Citizen Autistic (2013): A critical look at the organization Autism Speaks from members of the autistic community and their families.
Beyond The Myth (2010): A culture-turning film that looks at the misconceptions and fears surrounding pitbull dogs.
Science-Fiction
Color Out Of Space (2020): A recent adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft’s story, this kaleidoscopic tale of extraterrestrial terror stars the legendary Nicolas Cage at his finest.
Brazil (1985): Terry Gilliam’s classic satire of bureaucracy run amok imagines a far-futuristic technological utopia– except, of course, for endless red tape.
Beyond The Black Rainbow (2012): An experimental film that teleports the viewer to a dream-like world of complicated experiments, imperiled psychics, and nightmares.
The Last Man On Earth (1964): A truly foundational post-apocalyptic film of a man surviving in a world seemingly emptied by a mysterious plague.
Equilibrium (2003): A fun, futuristic action movie about a police officer who recognizes that the emotion-suppressing technology that his society relies on may actually be making the world a dystopia.
Horror
Behind The Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2007): A fun little satire of slasher films, Behind the Mask is framed as a mockumentary where a group of film students follow a killer aspiring to be the next Jason Voorhees.
The House Of The Devil (2009): A pitch-perfect tribute to horror films of the 70s & 80s, drawing inspiration from the media obsession with Satanic cults, this movie FEELS like it came from that time period.
C.H.U.D. (1984): A cult classic! Cannibalistic Humanoids Underground Dwellers are stalking the homeless and the vulnerable in New York—can they be stopped before they overrun the city?
Grave Encounters (2011): This found footage horror film pits a crew of overconfident TV hosts against something they never thought they’d actually find– an real haunted house.
Timecrimes (2009): A Spanish horror film that mixes time travel, murder mysteries, and the inescapable specter of death to make for a psychologically haunting and gruesome experience.
IMAX Staff’s Personal Recommendations
The Reflecting Skin (1990): Touching on topics of murderers, guilt, trauma, war, patriotism, and selfish desire, this film is dense with an uneasy tension that resolves as upsettingly as it begins.
Promare (2019): Easily the most critically-acclaimed anime film released last year, Promare is a can’t-miss experience that was plagued by limited screenings and sold-out shows.
The Host (2007): A Korean monster film that focuses on a family whose daughter is kidnapped by a mutant creature, and their struggle against bureaucracy and government indifference to get her back.
Wendy And Lucy (2008): A quiet portrait of a homeless girl and her dog, as she tries to survive and scrounge enough together after her car breaks down while traveling through Oregon.
Mandy (2018): A truly psychedelic, neon-soaked wide-awake nightmare of a film, starring Nic Cage living through the intrusion of otherworldly beings and cult members into his and his wife Mandy’s tranquil life in the PNW.
Curiosity Never Closes: Support PacSci
While we undergo our renewal, we are still serving the community. We depend on support from you.
When available, we work to provide closed captioning for our movies. Please check the description to see if the option is available.
Pacific Science Center has a no late seating policy for both of our IMAX theaters, for the safety and enjoyment of all our guests. Please allow ample time for entry. Also, each guest may hold up to 4 total spaces in line and/or seats in the theater for their companions. Thank you!
Ticket Prices
Ticket Prices
| Age | General Admission | Documentary IMAX Movie | Feature IMAX Movie |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults (16-64) | $25.95 | $10.75 | $16.95 |
| Seniors (65+) | $23.95 | $9.75 | $15.95 |
| Youth (6-15) | $17.95 | $8.75 | $14.95 |
| Child (3-5) | $13.95 | $6.75 | $11.95 |
| Members (16+) | FREE | FREE*** | $14.95 |
| Members (3-15) | FREE | FREE*** | $11.95 |
Add-on Experiences:
Planetarium Show**: FREE
Afternoon Laser Show**: $5
**General Admission ticket required. Laser afternoon shows available for select dates only. Planetarium shows recommended for ages 4 and up.
***Quantity of IMAX Passes dependent on Membership level.
IMAX Updates e-Newsletter Sign-Up
Additional Information
Ticket Refund & Exchange Policy
Convenience Charges – A convenience charge will be added to any sale made via telephone or internet, varies in cost depending on the event, and is assessed on a per ticket and/or per order basis. Pacific Science Center members do not pay per ticket convenience charges (though an order charge may apply). These charges are non-refundable.
Delivery Charges – No delivery charge will be added to tickets picked up on-site at Will Call or an automated Kiosk. For most events you will have the option to have your tickets mailed to you if they are ordered at least 14 days in advance. A delivery charge will be added to these orders. This charge is non-refundable.
Ticket Exchanges and Refunds – Tickets noted with “No Refunds or Exchanges” cannot be refunded or exchanged at any time. For all other tickets, no refunds or exchanges will be offered after the event has begun or the entry time has passed.
Refund or exchanges requested via phone or email should be submitted at least 24 hours in advance of the event start time to ensure they are processed. Service fees are non-refundable.
In the case that your ticketed event is cancelled by Pacific Science Center for any reason your ticket will be exchanged at no cost, or fully refunded including service fees. The exchange or refund must be arranged for within four days of the cancelled event or the refund or exchange will no longer be available.
An exchange charge of $4 per order will be applied to all exchanges.
For refunds or exchanges, please contact Guest Services at (206) 443-2844.
Camp Transfers and Refunds – Requests for transfers must be made over the phone at least one week prior to the camp start date by calling (206)443-2925. Cost: $20 per transfer.
Requests for withdrawal from camp must be made at least two weeks prior to the camp start date. No refunds will be given within two weeks of the camp start date. A $100 processing fee will be retained per camp session.
About Our Theaters
Schedule subject to change without notice.
Arrive early – Movies start promptly, so please allow ample time for entry to ensure that you can safely find a seat.
The Boeing IMAX Theater is the Ultimate IMAX Experience on Seattle’s biggest screen. Immerse yourself in a cinematic experience like no other as spectacular films come to life on a screen six stories high (60 feet) and 80 feet wide. The IMAX sound system is a visceral experience with amazing range, pitch perfect, daily tuning, and pin point accuracy. There are no bad seats in the house. Our 3D films take advantage of our state-of-the-art IMAX 3D® technology, putting you right in the action. The 373-seat theater features plush, comfortable seating, a full-service concession stand, and an enthusiastic staff trained to make your IMAX experience great. Read about the Boeing IMAX Theater renovations in this Geekwire article.
The PACCAR IMAX Theater boasts a screen measuring 35 feet in height and 60 feet from side to side. In operation since 1979 and completely renovated in 2011, the theater seats 218 for 3D movies, 295 for 2D and 321 for lectures and other such events. See for yourself the difference in clarity, color, and movement brought to you by IMAX.
By purchasing tickets to Pacific Science Center’s IMAX films, you not only enjoy a premier theatergoing experience; you also support science education for children and families throughout Washington state.
IMAX® is a registered trademark of the IMAX Corporation.
Theater Accessibility Information
Both IMAX theaters are wheelchair accessible. The PACCAR IMAX and Boeing IMAX Theaters each accommodate six wheelchairs and reserved companion seats. Additionally, the Boeing Theater has four accessible seats for patrons with disabilities with arms that fold out for easier access.
- To access the PACCAR IMAX Theater via wheelchair, go to the glass elevator just outside our Grossology Bathrooms in Building 5 and go up one level. Or go to the entrance to Building 1 where you’ll see a marked elevator. Take that elevator up one level, exit through cafe and proceed across upper courtyard taking a right to theater entrance once you’ve reached Building 5.
- To access Boeing IMAX Theater via elevator, proceed to the Upper Boeing Lobby. Next to our public restrooms is an elevator that will take you down to the lower lobby. Once you exit the elevator, go left to theater entrance.
Theater Closed Captioning
Closed captioning is available for some movies, which is indicated on each listing. If closed captioning is needed, please speak with our theater staff at the show.