Movies, Music, TV
A 270-Degree Panoramic Movie Theater Is Coming to the Philippines
Why settle for one screen when you can have three?
Published on Sep 12, 2025
(SPOT.ph) Going to the movies today is leaps and bounds from what it used to be. The days of a basic projector screen have given way to recliner seats, surround sound, and even 4DX theaters that add motion and special effects. The next upgrade will take it even further—stretching films across three walls of the theater.
The new format is called SCREENX, the product of South Korea–based company CJ 4DPLEX. Globally, there are already over 435 SCREENX auditoriums in 40 countries; now it's the Philippines' turn.
The first SCREENX theater in the
country will open at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. That's all we know so far, as SM Cinema hasn’t revealed the launch date or film that will premiere for SCREENX yet. If global trends are any indication, expect the rollout to feature a major blockbuster—action, sci-fi, and superhero films are usually the first to take advantage of new formats.
How does SCREENX compare to other movie formats?
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Click to Enlarge
Photo from CJ 4DPLEX.
Metro Manila already has several
advanced movie experiences: IMAX theaters (for ultra-large screens with
higher resolution), Director’s Club cinemas (with luxury recliners), and
4DX auditoriums (equipped with motion seats and sensory effects like
water, wind, and even scents). SCREENX sits somewhere in between—focused less
on physical effects and more on stretching the visual field in a way that
standard and even IMAX screens don’t.
Unlike standard movie projection
that’s limited to a flat rectangle in front of you, SCREENX expands the film’s
imagery onto the left and right walls of the auditorium. The result is a 270-degree
viewing field that places the audience closer to the action, almost like being
inside the frame.
If you want to see how SCREENX plays out, check the Superman trailer, which gives a sense of how the extended visuals look in action.
If that's not exciting enough for you, how about a horror movie? The Conjuring:
Last Rites trailer was released in SCREENX, too. Imagine how much scarier it'll be actually watching from inside the cinema.
Micah believes that writing is always political. Beyond the byline, you’ll find her bruising herself in a pole studio or napping with her beagle. Reach her at micah@spot.ph.
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