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Last Updated on March 13, 2025 2:12 pm by Jeffrey Powers

When you pay extra for an immersive cinematic experience, you expect to be wowed. Regal Cinemas’ ScreenX technology promises a groundbreaking, panoramic movie experience that extends visuals beyond the main screen to the sidewalls of the theater.

However, as this moviegoer recently discovered, this technology doesn’t always deliver on its promises—and that’s not the worst part!

ScreenX was designed as an alternative to IMAX and 4Dx, boasting an extended field of vision to make viewers feel like they are inside the movie. Unlike traditional widescreens, ScreenX uses additional projectors to display footage on the theater’s side walls, theoretically creating an immersive, wraparound effect.

All this for a premium price—often $10 to $15 more per ticket.

The first major issue was the inconsistent use of the peripheral screens. The side projections weren’t active throughout the entire movie, leading to abrupt shifts in brightness and immersion. One moment, the side screens would be displaying content, enhancing the action. The next, they would abruptly turn off, leaving only the center screen illuminated.

But the real disaster? The side projections went out of sync. One side would delay, then the other side, followed by both screens shutting off for a minute, then turning back on in sync (only to repeat the process). The result was an utterly disorienting mess, making it impossible to stay engaged with the film.

and I don’t know if the side screens shut off by design, or if it was trying to correct itself. All I know is instead of enhancing the movie, ScreenX became a malfunctioning distraction.

Technical failures happen, but the real disappointment came after the movie ended. Despite paying a premium for a technology that didn’t work, no theater staff acknowledged the failure. There was no notice before the screening, no attempt to explain or apologize, and worst of all, no one available to address complaints after the movie ended.

Movie theaters have historically been more responsive to customer issues. Back in the era of film reels, if a projection broke mid-movie, theaters would often be at hand, giving you a free pass. Even modern streaming services like Amazon recognize technical hiccups, sometimes issuing automatic credits.

If this experience is any indication, the answer is a hard no. The peripheral extension was OK, but if I had a choice between IMAX, 3D, 4Dx, ScreenX, or just watching the movie without enhancements, I think the ScreenX experience will most likely be my last option.

Regal Cinemas had a chance to impress with innovative technology, but instead, they’ve delivered an overpriced, glitch-ridden experience—without even the courtesy of customer service to make things right.

Would you give ScreenX another chance? Or has Regal’s failure left you skeptical of premium theater gimmicks altogether?

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