The opening of “Alice in Wonderland” is swallowing up many of the 3-D screens formerly occupied by “Avatar.”
Starting tonight at midnight, all three of Manhattan’s commercial IMAX screens — at the Lincoln Square, the Empire and Loews 34th Street — will be switching over to the Tim Burton fantasy epic, even though “Avatar” was still selling out some screenings as late as last weekend.
“Alice” will also be shown in 3-D on a newly converted IMAX screen opening Friday at the Kips Bay on Second Avenue, as well as on 16 non-IMAX 3-D screens at 10 different locations in the borough.
According to online ticketing services such as Fandango and movietickets.com, “Avatar,” which opened in December, will continue to be offered on a single non-IMAX 3-D screen at five Manhattan theaters, including the Lincoln Square and the Empire, with another five theaters switching over exclusively to 2-D showings.
Theaters are charging up to $4 extra for 3-D screenings, with a $6 premium for IMAX showings.