IMAX Says People Are More Likely To Stream Movies With Their Label

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IMAX Says People Are More Likely To Stream Movies With Their Label

As a cinephile who has had the privilege of experiencing movies in both standard and IMAX formats, I can confidently say that there’s simply no comparison between the two. The immersive experience offered by IMAX is unparalleled, and it’s a shame that not everyone has easy access to it. However, I understand that not everyone can make it to the theater every time they want to watch a movie, especially when it comes to streaming releases.

It’s no secret that seeing a movie in IMAX is one of the best ways to experience a film, but not everybody has access to that. Watching a movie that was previously shown in IMAX, like Dune: Part 2, once it hits streaming isn’t the same experience by any means, but it seems like most viewers are treating it as such. According to an IMAX survey, via IndieWire, if a movie receives a theatrical IMAX release, viewers are more likely to check it out on a streaming service than if it didn’t.

The survey posed a question to 600 entertainment enthusiasts about whether the prospect of an IMAX release would boost their interest in a film. Approximately 62% responded affirmatively. While many households possess home theater systems boasting large screens and surround sound, few can match the immersive experience offered by IMAX. Furthermore, home versions usually lack the expanded IMAX aspect ratio. A crucial element contributing to this preference is the perceived superior production value. 69% of participants indicated that the presence of the IMAX logo on a poster creates an impression of higher quality, and 90% agreed that a movie filmed for IMAX is a strong indicator of top-notch quality.

Is Filming for IMAX a Good Thing for Movies?

IMAX Says People Are More Likely To Stream Movies With Their LabelIMAX Says People Are More Likely To Stream Movies With Their LabelIMAX Says People Are More Likely To Stream Movies With Their LabelIMAX Says People Are More Likely To Stream Movies With Their Label

IMAX screenings don’t necessarily predict a film’s quality, as demonstrated by the case of the poorly received “Madame Web.” However, having the IMAX logo on posters and marketing materials can generate excitement for a movie when it becomes available for streaming. As stated by IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond, a successful theatrical release could pave the way for future successes.

An effective theatrical release, bolstered by IMAX screenings, significantly boosts the worth of the entire content supply chain. This not only impacts our position within the marketplace but also determines the bargaining power we possess and the favorable deals we can negotiate.

Certain streaming platforms adjust their aspect ratios to mimic the IMAX cinema experience, even though the audio quality falls short of what you’d get in a movie theater. Disney+ offers a selection of films tagged as “IMAX Enhanced,” which automatically adjusts the aspect ratio to match the theater version and expands the viewing area at certain points. This change can be startling on smaller screens, but it adds a touch of cinematic realism to home viewing.

Interestingly enough, some streaming services have an advantage over their physical media counterparts when it comes to aspect ratios. For example, most physical MCU releases don’t have the changing ratio, with Guardians of the Galaxy 3 being an outlier, so people have to stick to Disney+ if that is something really valuable for them. In another franchise, a notable exception is Hunger Games: Catching Fire, whose Blu-ray version changes ratio when Katniss first enters the titular deathmatch. It’s not a huge dealbreaker at the end of the day, but it is an extra feature some streamers offer, and it’s thanks to some films being filmed for IMAX.

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2024-09-07 00:31