Rolling Stones IMAX Concert Film Returns December 2025

Rock and roll history is about to explode back onto the biggest screens imaginable! The legendary Rolling Stones are bringing their groundbreaking 1991 concert film back to IMAX theaters this December, and fans worldwide are buzzing with excitement. This isn’t just another rerun of a classic rock concert film. This is the Rolling Stones IMAX concert film that changed everything, captured during their explosive 1990 Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tour across Europe. Shot with eight IMAX cameras across five concerts in three European cities, this was the very first feature-length concert movie ever filmed in the massive IMAX format. Now, more than three decades later, audiences get another chance to experience Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood, and Bill Wyman at their stadium-filling peak, with newly remastered visuals and a brand-new sound mix that promises to be louder, bigger, and more immersive than ever before.

The First IMAX Concert Film Ever Made

When the Rolling Stones decided to film their 1990 European tour dates, they didn’t just want to create another concert video. They wanted to revolutionize how fans experience live music on film. The result was Rolling Stones: At The Max, a pioneering achievement that became the first and only concert film shot entirely with IMAX cameras. This wasn’t just a technical milestone but a game-changing moment for classic rock artists everywhere. The tagline said it all: “Larger than life.” Using cutting-edge technology for the era, the filmmakers deployed eight IMAX cameras across five different concerts in three European cities, capturing every electrifying moment in a format ten times larger than standard 35mm film.

The production was so innovative that it required custom equipment and editing techniques. The team used an Edit Droid, an early digital non-linear editing system developed by Lucasfilm, because traditional flatbed editors couldn’t handle the massive IMAX footage. This classic rock news marked a turning point not just for the Stones but for how concert films would be approached in the future. Directors Noel Archambault, David Douglas, Roman Kroitor, and Julien Temple collaborated to create something that had never been seen before, bringing audiences closer to the raw energy and power of a Stones concert than anyone thought possible.

The Steel Wheels Tour That Changed Everything

The Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tour wasn’t just another concert series. It was a triumphant comeback for one of the most iconic classic rock bands in history. After years of well-publicized tension between Mick Jagger and Keith Richards during the mid-1980s, fans wondered if the Stones would ever tour again. When they launched the Steel Wheels Tour in August 1989 to support their nineteenth studio album of the same name, it became the most financially successful rock tour in history up to that point. The tour marked the reconciliation of Jagger and Richards, whose renewed chemistry brought fresh energy to the band’s performances.

The European leg of the tour, renamed the Urban Jungle Tour, ran from May through August 1990 and provided the footage for the IMAX film. This would also be the last tour featuring original bassist Bill Wyman, making the film a precious document of the classic Stones lineup. The massive stage production featured inflatable props, including giant floozies for Honky Tonk Women and wild dogs for Street Fighting Man. It was spectacle and substance combined, with the band performing at the absolute peak of their powers after their seven-year touring hiatus.

What to Expect From The Rolling Stones IMAX Concert Film

The Rolling Stones IMAX concert film delivers fifteen career-defining performances that span the band’s incredible catalog. The setlist emphasizes material from the late 1960s and early 1970s, the golden era when classic rock was being defined and redefined by these legendary performers. Fans will experience thunderous renditions of (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, Start Me Up, Brown Sugar, Paint It Black, You Can’t Always Get What You Want, Sympathy for the Devil, and Tumbling Dice, among many others.

What makes this IMAX presentation special is the newly remastered video using IMAX’s proprietary Digital Media Remastering technology, combined with a completely new sound mix. The Stones themselves have endorsed this re-release enthusiastically. As the band stated: “At The Max was always about bringing fans as close as possible to the energy of our live shows. With IMAX, that experience is bigger, louder, and more immersive than ever. We can’t wait for audiences to feel it all over again.” The film puts viewers at the heart of the crowd, where IMAX’s unmatched scale and sound create an experience that approaches the feeling of actually being at a Stones concert in a packed European stadium.

December 10 Return to Theaters Worldwide

Mark your calendars, because Rolling Stones: At The Max returns to IMAX theaters worldwide on December 10, 2025. This marks the first time the film has been shown in theaters since its 2007 re-release, making it an event nearly two decades in the making. Tickets go on sale October 23, giving fans plenty of time to secure their spots for what promises to be one of the biggest classic rock events of the year. The film originally premiered on October 25, 1991, at the California Museum of Science and Industry in Los Angeles, and has since earned over $17 million worldwide, making it the most successful IMAX concert film of all time.

This theatrical run represents a unique opportunity for multiple generations of rock fans. For those who saw the original theatrical releases, it’s a chance to relive a moment in time when the Stones were celebrating their comeback and proving they could still fill stadiums with their electrifying performances. For younger fans who’ve only experienced the Stones through recordings or recent tours, it’s an opportunity to see the band in their prime, with the original lineup including Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman, both of whom are no longer with the band. The IMAX format ensures that even on a massive screen, every guitar riff, every Jagger strut, and every crowd surge comes through with crystal clarity.

A Classic Rock Legacy Preserved in IMAX Glory

The significance of this Rolling Stones IMAX concert film extends beyond just being a great concert movie. It represents a snapshot of a pivotal moment in rock history when one of the genre’s most important bands proved they could overcome internal strife and deliver performances that matched or exceeded their legendary status. The film captures Mick Jagger at his charismatic best, commanding the stage with the energy of someone half his age. Keith Richards’ guitar work shines throughout, particularly on tracks like Paint It Black, where his opening riff remains one of the most recognizable in rock history.

For classic rock enthusiasts and music historians, At The Max serves as an important document of concert film evolution. Before this production, concert films were limited by the technical constraints of standard film formats. The IMAX cameras allowed for an unprecedented level of detail and immersion, influencing how future concert films would be shot. The fact that no other concert film has been shot entirely in IMAX since then speaks to both the technical challenges and the unique vision required for such an undertaking. The Stones weren’t just performing; they were participating in a cinematic experiment that would preserve their artistry in the most spectacular format available.

The film also captures the extraordinary stage production that made the Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tour legendary. The elaborate set design, the enormous props, and the state-of-the-art lighting all contributed to creating a larger-than-life spectacle that matched the band’s enormous reputation. When you combine those production values with IMAX’s ability to capture every detail on a screen five stories high, you get an experience that truly earns the description “larger than life.” This isn’t just nostalgia. It’s living history, preserved in the best possible format for future generations to experience and appreciate.

Why This Matters for Rock Fans Today

In an era dominated by streaming concerts and smartphone footage, the return of the Rolling Stones IMAX concert film reminds us of what we’re missing. There’s something irreplaceable about experiencing live music on a massive screen with thunderous sound that physically moves you. This isn’t just about nostalgia, though there’s plenty of that for fans who remember the original release. It’s about preserving and celebrating one of rock music’s most important art forms: the live performance.

The Rolling Stones have always understood that their live shows are where their legend truly lives. While their studio albums are classics, it’s onstage where Mick, Keith, and the band transform songs into events, moments that live in collective memory. At The Max captures that transformation in the most spectacular way possible. For younger fans who’ve grown up with the Stones as elder statesmen of rock, this film offers a window into the band at a crucial moment, proving they could still dominate stages and captivate audiences after decades at the top.

The December 10 release also comes at a poignant time for Stones fans. With Charlie Watts having passed away in 2021, and the band continuing to tour with replacement drummers, this film serves as a powerful reminder of the classic lineup in their prime. Watching Watts’ impeccable timekeeping and understated power behind the kit, or seeing Bill Wyman holding down the bass lines, adds an emotional weight to the viewing experience. It’s not just entertainment but a historical document of one of rock’s greatest bands at a pivotal moment in their career.

Getting Your Tickets

When tickets go on sale October 23, they’re expected to move quickly. IMAX theaters have limited capacity compared to the stadiums the Stones typically fill, so fans should act fast to secure their spots for this once-in-a-generation theatrical event. Check IMAX.com for participating theaters near you and set reminders for the ticket sale date. Whether you’re a longtime Stones devotee who’s seen them multiple times or a newer fan discovering their catalog, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss.

The Rolling Stones IMAX concert film represents more than just a movie screening. It’s a celebration of rock and roll at its most powerful, a testament to the enduring appeal of one of music’s most influential bands, and a reminder of why live performance remains the ultimate expression of rock music’s raw energy and emotional power. Come December 10, theaters worldwide will shake with the sound of satisfaction, and rock fans everywhere will have the chance to experience the Stones the way they were meant to be experienced: larger than life, louder than loud, and absolutely unforgettable.