The movies are getting bigger all the time — quite literally in the case of ScreenX, a new theatrical format from Korean company CJ 4DPLEX, the same company behind the 4DX technology you may have already seen invade your local multiplex. (We wrote about that experience here.) ScreenX is described as a “270-degree panoramic film viewing experience within a theater setting,” where in addition to the standard screen at the front of the house there are two additional screens, one on either side. Here’s an image of what it looks like:

ScreenX
ScreenX
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Here’s a trailer from ScreenX’s official site giving you a sense of what it looks like (with King Arthur: Legend of the Sword):

We first heard about ScreenX back in April of last year; today came the announcement of the first movie to be released in ScreenX in the United States: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. Here’s a quote from the official press release from Pirates producer Jerry Bruckheimer:

Seeing our film span three entire walls of an auditorium, and to be able to have the film extend beyond the screen has been exciting. We look forward to showcasing the end product and giving fans the opportunity to experience it in ScreenX.

Currently there are 3 U.S. ScreenX locations: the CGV Cinemas in Los Angeles and Buena Park, and the AMC Town Square 18 in Las Vegas. (Only the two California screens are showing Pirates.) There’s no New York City locations at the moment, so I’ll have to wait to check this out myself; I’m always interested in new theatrical screening gimmicks (even if I’m not sure I would recommend watching Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales under any circumstances). This one reminds me of the old Circle-Vision movies at Epcot, where you stand in a giant theater and watch a 360-degree image projected all around you. I always liked those, even if I never knew quite where to look.

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