Changi Airport Singapore: The Jewel IMAX Cinema
Beyond the Photos: A Hidden Gem for Movie Lovers
You see tons of reviews and photos of Changi Airport and the Jewel waterfall, but what about us film fanatics? Changi Airport actually has two cinemas, both located in Terminal 1.
One is a free Movie Theater located in the duty-free zone, before you go through immigration, right next to the Butterfly Garden and a 7/11. This one is small, only about 50 seats, and plays older movies for free. When I was passing through on May 7th, flying Scoot and arriving in T1, they were showing Twisters (2024).
The Jewel Waterfall and Beyond
Once you exit T1, you'll find yourself at the Jewel waterfall, a favorite photo spot for tourists. I bet if you get to the prime photo location, you'll hear a lot of Vietnamese being spoken. The Jewel puts on a light and water show at 9 PM. If you've seen similar shows in Vietnam or elsewhere in Singapore, it might not be anything groundbreaking. The unique thing here is the four projectors positioned around the waterfall, giving the visuals a more immersive feel.
Most visitors snap their photos and leave, unaware of what lies beneath. Head down to Basement 2 from the Jewel and you'll discover a food court, a supermarket, and the Shaw IMAX cinema.
Shaw IMAX Jewel: A Cinematic Secret
This is Shaw's second IMAX cinema in Singapore. Their first, IMAX Lido in Orchard, has been around for at least 20 years, so the screen isn't massive, more like a CGV IMAX. As for the Jewel IMAX, Final Destination 6 was banned in Vietnam, and I was hoping to catch it on May 7th, but they were showing Thunderbolt. I didn't get to see a movie, so I can't comment on the screen size or interior. But the ticket prices are pretty reasonable, ranging from 9 to 18 SGD.
While many tourists miss this gem, I noticed a lot of young Singaporeans who live near Changi coming to see movies. The ticket counter always had customers. The restrooms right next to the cinema are spacious and clean, with separate facilities for the elderly and young children. There's also a hot water dispenser for making milk or instant noodles, and the cold water is seriously cold, making an inox water bottle feel icy to the touch!
```