It’s movie magic at the Omni IMAX for Girls on Wheels.
Vicki Baker
Oh boy, remember the first time stepping into the Omni Theater at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History? The sheer scale of that dome screen wrapping around you felt both overwhelming and utterly magical. The rumble of the sound system vibrated through your chest, and the images were so sharp and massive, it was almost disorienting. It wasn’t just a movie; it was an event, a full-body experience.
But like most wondrous inventions, the old-fashioned 70mm projector faced modern-day setbacks. Inevitably, the format needed to evolve or become extinct. So, at the height of the pandemic, the giant dome closed its doors for a much-needed renovation. The Fort Worth Omni Theater has now reopened, and Girls on Wheels returned to experience the awe and wonder of the dome in jaw-dropping fashion.
Upon entering the theater, the most striking feature was the screen itself—a massive, curved dome, approximately 80 feet in diameter, extending above and around the auditorium. The transformed 8K LED immersive dome is made up of nearly 12,000 individual screens and more than 43 million LED crystals. No projector is needed. Instead, the LED panels are all controlled by computers. Audio-wise, speakers are placed all over the backside of the dome, beaming sound waves throughout the theater.
Once we got settled, the screen came to life with the film Animal Kingdom. We immediately gasped. The projection was so full, gripping, and vibrant that it gave the impression of seeing things through the world’s largest window.
That’s the power of the Omni IMAX—it’s not merely a cinema; it’s visual storytelling. This technological marvel transported Girls on Wheels to distant lands with breathtaking realism, leaving us with a profound sense of awe and a renewed appreciation for our incredible world and the universe beyond.