HOYTS Cinemas is expanding its partnership with cinema technology company CJ 4DPLEX, with 12 new SCREENX auditoriums set to open across Australia and New Zealand by 2028.
The first will open at Sydney’s HOYTS Broadway on July 30th, timed to the release of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day”. The film is billed as the first Hollywood blockbuster shot for SCREENX, following a collaboration that incorporates the format into the filmmaking process from production through to theatres.
The agreement will increase HOYTS’ total number of SCREENX cinemas to 14, adding to its existing locations at Melbourne Central and Blacktown.
The rollout represents the largest deployment of SCREENX by a single cinema chain in Australia and New Zealand.
Damian Keogh, HOYTS Group president and CEO, said the performance of the Melbourne Central and Blacktown locations reflected increasing demand for premium and innovative cinema experiences.
“The response to SCREENX from audiences across Australia has been strong, and we look forward to expanding this premium experience across our network,” Keough said. “Immersive cinema is the future of moviegoing, and these 12 new auditoriums are another step towards bringing that experience to more guests.”
SCREENX extends a film beyond the auditorium’s front seats and onto the left and right walls, creating a 270-degree panoramic display. The format uses additional visual material across selected scenes to place audiences within the wider cinema canvas.
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CJ 4DPLEX CEO Jun Bang said the company’s next generation of SCREENX content was designed to offer experiences that could not be replicated through home entertainment.
“The future of cinema lies in delivering experiences that audiences simply cannot enjoy anywhere else. SCREENX transforms storytelling by surrounding moviegoers with a 270-degree cinematic canvas, and our new ‘Shot for SCREENX’ initiative takes that immersion even further by enabling filmmakers to create movies specifically for the format from the very beginning,” Bang said. “We are proud to launch this new era with ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ and to expand our partnership with HOYTS as we continue redefining the theatrical experience.”
Don Savant, chief business officer of CJ 4DPLEX America, said HOYTS had established itself as the leading SCREENX exhibitor in Australia and New Zealand through its execution and the performance of existing locations.
“Their commitment to innovation and premium cinema experiences has made them an ideal partner for SCREENX’s continued expansion. Together, we’re bringing a new generation of immersive theatrical experiences that audiences simply can’t experience at home to moviegoers across the region,” Savant said.
The 12 new auditoriums will be introduced across HOYTS’ network of 61 locations, although the remaining sites have not yet been announced.
Sydney moviegoers can now book tickets for “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and the new SCREENX cinema at HOTYS Broadway via their website.