The new holographic cinema experience opened September 4 to spectacular ticket sales and public enthusiasm
September 24, 2026, Laguna Beach, Calif.—MacGillivray Freeman Films is pleased to announce that the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Ocean Theater has transformed into a brand-new immersive experience that officially opened to the public on September 4, making it the first HoloTheater® on the U.S. West Coast. Developed by BASE Xperiential, a live entertainment and media company based in Houston, Texas, the HoloTheater installation uses six projection surfaces in a custom-designed theater to bring creatures, their environments, and stories to life.
The new space combines panoramic projection, holographic imagery, and spatial audio, allowing up to 132 guests to get an up-close-and-personal glimpse of the ecosystems of past and present. No glasses, VR headsets, or other wearable technology is required to experience the films in 3-D.
The new HoloTheater opened with Dinosaur Discoveries: A Holographic Adventure, where dinosaurs appear to come alive on a stage in front of the screen. This 25-minute film produced by BASE Xperiential in partnership with Paquin Entertainment Group, and distributed in collaboration with MacGillivray Freeman Films, transports audiences across prehistoric landscapes to encounter some of the most extraordinary creatures to ever walk the Earth. It is an educational journey that tells the evolving story of paleontological discoveries and scientific revelations that gave us what we know today about these remarkable creatures.
“Our HoloTheater opening has exceeded expectations, with a well-received debut and spectacular ticket sales,” said Alyssa Pacaut, the Aquarium’s senior manager of marketing and membership. “We’re thrilled by the enthusiastic response to the HoloTheater experience and look forward to building on that momentum with a successful run of Dinosaur Discoveries, followed by Ocean Giants Revealed later this year.”
“HoloTheater was created to transform how audiences experience stories,” said Brian Becker, founder and CEO of BASE Xperiential. “Partnering with Aquarium of the Pacific allows us to bring our methodology to one of the nation’s premier aquariums, bringing established technologies together to create an experience that is both spectacular and meaningful. Our goal is simple: inspire curiosity by making guests feel like they’ve stepped inside the story.”
The launch attracted major local media coverage, which lauded the experience’s innovative format:
LBTV Long Beach: Aquarium of the Pacific Unveils New HoloTheater
KTLA-TV: Dinosaur Discoveries: HoloTheater at the Aquarium of the Pacific | KTLA
CBS TV: CBS LA Live Broadcast – HoloTheater at AOP
NBC News: Holographic Dinosaurs are Ruling the Aquarium of the Pacific’s New HoloTheater
Long Beach Press Telegram: Aquarium of the Pacific Unveils New HoloTheater
Later this fall, Ocean Giants Revealed will debut in the Aquarium’s HoloTheater, where guests can submerge themselves into the world of the deep sea where few have traveled and witness the beauty and diversity of marine species both past and present, including whales, sea jellies, megalodon, and other prehistoric sea creatures. Ocean Giants Revealed is produced by MacGillivray Freeman Films in partnership with BASE Xperiential.
“With Dinosaur Discoveries, Ocean Giants Revealed and additional holographic experiences on the way, we’re creating a growing library of content that gives exhibitors fresh and consistent programming options while creating marketing efficiencies,” said Shaun MacGillivray, president and producer/director of MacGillivray Freeman Films. “For museums, it’s an opportunity to bring audiences something they can’t experience anywhere else while embracing an exciting new form of immersive edutainment.”
About Aquarium of the Pacific
The non-profit Aquarium of the Pacific is dedicated to world-class conservation, outstanding animal welfare, and connecting people to nature through more than 12,000 animals and one hundred exhibits, including Jelly Dreamscapes. In addition to its public education programs for all ages, the Aquarium is involved in numerous conservation efforts, including breeding endangered animals for release, rehabilitating rescued species, community science programs, and more. The Aquarium is home to the only sea turtle rehabilitation program in Greater Los Angeles. To make a donation to help support the Aquarium, please visit the donation webpage. To visit, reservations are required and can be made at aquariumofpacific.org or by calling (562) 590-3100.
About HoloTheater®
HoloTheater® is a next-generation immersive attraction created by BASE Xperiential that transforms storytelling through panoramic cinema, holographic projection, and shared audience experiences. Designed for museums, aquariums, science centers, destination attractions, shopping centers and entertainment venues, each HoloTheater® is a proprietary system that combines multiple projection surfaces, spatial audio and holographic projection to deliver spectacular shared experiences without the need for glasses or wearable devices. Built as a complete turnkey solution — from design and installation through operations, support and an expanding pipeline of original content — HoloTheater® enables venues to transform existing spaces into signature attractions that increase engagement, encourage repeat visitation and bring educational storytelling to life in unforgettable new ways. For more information, visit base-xperiential.com.
About MacGillivray Freeman Films
MacGillivray Freeman Films is the world’s foremost independent producer and distributor of giant screen 70mm films with more than 45 films for IMAX® and giant screen theaters to its credit. Throughout the company’s history, its films have won numerous international awards including two Academy Award® nominations for The Living Sea and Dolphins and three films inducted into the IMAX Hall of Fame, including Everest, the highest grossing giant-screen documentary film of all time. MacGillivray Freeman’s films are known for their artistry and celebration of science and the natural world. It is the first documentary film company to reach the one-billion-dollar benchmark for worldwide box office. For more information, visit macgillivrayfreeman.com.
For inquires and to schedule a visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific’s HoloTheater, please contact:
Patty Collins, MacGillivray Freeman Films, pcollins@macfreefilms.com, 949-309-6639
Chip Bartlett, MacGillivray Freeman Films, cbartlett@macfreefilms.com, 310-383-2377
Ryan Latham, Base Xperiential, 617-756-3185
