You’ve probably heard the rumors. People in Wichita love to talk about the "good old days" when Bill Warren ran the show. Back then, the Warren IMAX wasn't just a theater; it was a freaking monument to cinema.
If you walk into the Regal Warren West ScreenX & IMAX today, located at 9150 West 21st Street, things feel... different. Not necessarily bad, but the vibe has shifted. It’s no longer the locally-owned crown jewel that made national headlines. It’s a Regal now. Since 2017, the transition from the "Warren way" to corporate management has been a polarizing topic for anyone who remembers the gold-leafed ceilings and the absolute obsession with quality.
Honestly, the biggest misconception right now is that the Warren IMAX Wichita KS is a "fake" IMAX. I hear this at least once a month. Someone sees a movie at the AMC Northrock and starts claiming the West 21st screen isn't the real deal. Let's set that straight: it is a real IMAX. But, and this is a big "but," it’s a specific kind of IMAX that hasn't quite kept up with the bleeding edge of 2026 tech.
The Giant Screen Mystery: Is It Still the Biggest?
Back when it opened in December 2010, the Wichita IMAX was a monster. We’re talking about an 82-foot wide screen. At the time, it was touted as the largest IMAX in North America. That was a massive flex for a city in Kansas.
Does it still hold the title? No. Not even close.
The Pooler IMAX in Georgia and the Lincoln Square IMAX in NYC have long since passed it. Even so, 80-plus feet of screen is still an absolute unit. When you sit in those middle rows, the curvature of the screen literally wraps around your peripheral vision. It’s huge. But size isn't everything if the light hitting the screen isn't perfect.
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The Projector Situation
This is where the nerds (myself included) get into the weeds. The Wichita IMAX originally used a Digital Xenon projection system. For years, locals complained that the image wasn't as crisp as the newer "Laser" systems popping up in places like Branson or Vegas.
The good news? Reports from late 2024 and 2025 suggest the projector finally got some love. While it’s not a dual-laser 70mm beast—those are incredibly rare—the current COLA (Commercial Laser) setup provides much better contrast than the old lamps. If you saw Oppenheimer here and were disappointed by the cropping, that’s because this isn't a 1.43:1 film house. It’s a 1.90:1 digital house. Basically, you're getting about 26% more picture than a standard screen, but you aren't getting that square-ish "full" IMAX height you see in the marketing clips.
Why Locals Are Still Grumpy (And Why They Stay)
If you ask a Wichita native about the Warren, they’ll probably mention two things: the popcorn and the carpets.
Bill Warren was notoriously obsessive. He’d walk the aisles with a flashlight. If a lightbulb was out or a seat had a tear, it was fixed that night. Since Regal took over, that "obsessive" level of maintenance has smoothed out into "standard corporate" maintenance.
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- The Seats: Unlike the "Warren 21" section or the Director’s Suites, the IMAX auditorium doesn't have the plush, heated recliners everywhere. It’s still largely stadium seating. It's fine, but if you’re used to the luxury of the other wings, it feels a bit dated.
- The Sound: This is where the theater still wins. The sound system in the IMAX is separate from the rest of the building. It’s a 12,000-watt, laser-aligned beast. You don't just hear the bass; you feel it in your teeth. For an action flick like Avatar: Fire and Ash, there is no better spot in town.
- The Lobby: It still has that Art Deco, marble-and-neon look. Regal hasn't stripped that away yet, thankfully. It still feels like "the movies" the second you walk in.
Navigating the Showtimes: January 2026 Edition
If you're looking for tickets right now, the schedule is surprisingly packed with variety. Because the IMAX screen is the big draw, they tend to cycle through the heavy hitters quickly.
Currently, the big ticket is Avatar: Fire and Ash in 3D. If you’re going to spend the extra $5-$8 for an IMAX ticket, 3D is usually where it's worth it because the brightness of the laser projector handles the "dimming" effect of the glasses much better than the standard projectors.
We're also seeing some cool "heritage" screenings. For the first time in a while, they're bringing back The Lord of the Rings trilogy for a limited IMAX run this month. Watching The Fellowship of the Ring on an 82-foot screen is basically a religious experience for some of us.
A Pro Tip on Seating
Don't sit too close. Seriously. In most theaters, the "sweet spot" is the middle. In the Wichita IMAX, the first four rows are basically a neck-workout station. Because of the way the stadium seating is banked, the back third of the theater—specifically rows K through M—gives you the best field of view without having to move your head to see the edges of the frame.
The "Warren 21" vs. IMAX Dilemma
One thing that confuses travelers is the "Warren 21" option. It's in the same building, but it's a completely different experience.
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- Warren 21: 21+ only, recliners, a bar, and much more chill.
- IMAX: All ages, louder, bigger screen, standard stadium seats.
If you’re taking the kids to see Zootopia 2, you’re going to be in the main auditoriums or the IMAX. If you’re on a date and want to avoid teenagers throwing popcorn, you go Warren 21. Just know that you're sacrificing that massive IMAX scale for comfort.
What’s Next for the Wichita Landmark?
There was some drama recently when Cineworld (Regal’s parent company) went through bankruptcy. People were terrified the West 21st location would go the way of the Old Town theater or the Palace West (which is now a church, by the way).
Fortunately, the West 21st location remains the flagship. It's the highest-grossing theater in the region. They’ve even added a ScreenX auditorium, which uses side-wall projection to create a 270-degree viewing experience. It’s a bit of a gimmick compared to the IMAX, but it shows that Regal is still willing to invest in the Wichita market.
Is it the "greatest theater in the world" like the old radio ads used to claim? Maybe not anymore. But in 2026, it remains the most immersive way to watch a movie in Kansas.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Visit:
- Check the Format: When booking on the Regal app or Fandango, make sure you aren't just booking "Standard." Look for the "IMAX" or "ScreenX" labels.
- Arrive Early for Parking: The West 21st lot is huge, but on Friday nights for a big release like Avatar, it becomes a nightmare. Give yourself 15 minutes just for the walk from your car.
- Join the Crown Club: If you're going to the IMAX, the tickets aren't cheap (usually $16-$22 depending on the time). The Regal Crown Club points add up fast at those prices, usually earning you a free popcorn every two or three visits.
- Try the Cry Room: If you have an infant, the Warren theaters are famous for their "Cry Rooms"—soundproofed booths at the back where you can still watch the movie while your baby screams. It’s a lifesaver that most modern theaters don't offer.