Jul 27, 2026 3:31pm IST
IMAX, ScreenX, 4DX or Infinity Vision? Your Guide to Premium Cinema Formats for ‘The Odyssey,’ ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’
Christopher Nolan wants you to watch “The Odyssey” in IMAX. Disney is pushing Infinity Vision for “Avengers: Doomsday.” Sony’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is expected to dominate premium screens worldwide, while Denis Villeneuve’s “Dune: Part 3” is shot for IMAX. Suddenly, choosing a movie is no longer enough. Today’s biggest blockbusters ask audiences to choose how they want to watch them. Should it be IMAX, ScreenX, 4DX or Infinity Vision?
The answer lies in how modern blockbusters are made. As streaming has become the default way to watch most films, studios have increasingly designed their biggest releases as theatrical events. The goal is to offer audiences something they simply cannot recreate at home, whether that’s a towering screen, crystal-clear projection, room-shaking sound or even seats that move with the action.
Here’s a complete guide to the formats you’ll increasingly encounter at the box office.
IMAX: More Than a Bigger Screen
If there is one premium format that has become synonymous with blockbuster filmmaking, it’s IMAX. Most people think IMAX simply means “a really big screen.” While the screen is certainly larger, that’s only part of what makes it different.
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The biggest advantage of IMAX is that certain films are actually created specifically for it. Directors such as Christopher Nolan have famously used IMAX cameras to shoot major sequences in films including “The Dark Knight,” “Interstellar,” “Dunkirk,” “Tenet” and “Oppenheimer.” Because those scenes are captured in IMAX’s taller aspect ratio, audiences don’t just get a larger image, they actually see more of it. “The Odyssey,” on the other hand, was shot entirely on the IMAX camera.
Imagine taking a photograph. A standard cinema screen crops part of that photograph. IMAX allows more of the original frame to remain visible, especially during scenes filmed with IMAX cameras.
Beyond the image, IMAX theatres are also designed differently. They use specialized projection systems, carefully calibrated surround sound and auditorium layouts intended to maximize immersion. The result isn’t simply a louder or bigger movie, but one that feels more expansive.
It’s no surprise, then, that “The Odyssey” was marketed heavily as an IMAX experience. Nolan has repeatedly described IMAX as the ideal way to experience his films because many of his creative decisions are made with those screens in mind.
ScreenX: When the Screen Doesn’t End at the Front
ScreenX takes a completely different approach. Instead of making the main screen larger, ScreenX extends selected scenes onto the left and right walls of the auditorium, creating a 270-degree panoramic presentation.
The important thing to understand is that the entire movie isn’t shown this way. Only specially mastered scenes use the side projections. These are typically large action sequences, aerial shots, sweeping landscapes or moments where filmmakers want viewers to feel surrounded by the environment.
For example, imagine Spider-Man swinging through New York. Rather than watching him move only across the front screen, parts of the city can continue onto the walls beside you, making it feel as though you’re inside the skyline.
Unlike IMAX, ScreenX doesn’t reveal more of the original image. Instead, it expands the visual experience around you. Some audiences love the added immersion, while others find themselves occasionally distracted by the side projections. It’s a format built almost entirely for spectacle.
4DX: The Movie You Can Feel
If IMAX changes what you see and ScreenX changes where you see it, 4DX changes what you physically experience. Think of it as cinema meets theme park attraction. Inside a 4DX auditorium, the seats move with the action on screen. During car chases they tilt and shake. During storms, you might feel bursts of wind. Action scenes can trigger vibrations, flashes of light, fog or even light water effects.
If Iron Man blasts into the sky, your seat responds. If dinosaurs thunder across the screen, you’ll often feel the vibrations beneath you. Naturally, not everyone enjoys this level of interaction. Unlike IMAX or Infinity Vision, 4DX isn’t trying to improve picture quality. It’s trying to make you physically participate in the movie.
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Infinity Vision: Disney’s New Challenger to IMAX
Infinity Vision is the newest name in premium moviegoing, but it isn’t a new projection technology like IMAX. Announced by Disney at CinemaCon 2026, it’s a premium large-format certification that identifies theatres that meet the studio’s standards for large screens, laser projection, immersive sound, and premium presentation.
The initiative launches with the re-release of “Avengers: Endgame” and will be a key part of the rollout for “Avengers: Doomsday.” Its arrival is particularly significant as Warner Bros.’ “Dune: Part Three” secured IMAX screens in many markets, giving Disney an alternative premium format for its biggest blockbuster.
Unlike IMAX, Infinity Vision doesn’t expand the image or use proprietary cameras. Instead, it focuses on delivering brighter visuals, richer colors, immersive sound and a consistently high-quality theatrical experience.
Dolby Cinema: The Benchmark for Picture Quality
Although still limited in India, Dolby Cinema is often considered one of the finest ways to watch a movie. Where IMAX focuses on scale, Dolby Cinema focuses on image precision. Using Dolby Vision projection, the format delivers exceptional contrast, brighter highlights and deeper blacks. When combined with Dolby Atmos surround sound, it creates an experience in which even subtle details become more noticeable.
Dark scenes appear richer, colors become more vibrant and audio feels remarkably precise. Many cinematographers consider Dolby Cinema among the best formats for showcasing their visual work because of its emphasis on image fidelity rather than sheer size.
Which Format Should You Choose?
There isn’t a universal answer because each format tries to achieve something different. If a filmmaker specifically shoots or masters sequences for IMAX, that’s generally the closest representation of their creative vision.
If you want to feel surrounded by the movie, ScreenX offers something no standard theatre can. If you want your seat to become part of the action, 4DX is the obvious choice. If your priority is simply a better picture, better sound and a more luxurious auditorium, Infinity Vision is an excellent premium option.
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