With the reveal of the world’s first four-screen theater this year, CJ 4DPLEX continues to prove its dedication to innovating cinema experiences for audiences globally
Summer is heating up, and it’s the perfect time to cool off in a movie theater and immerse all your senses in the worlds of blockbusters like “How to Train Your Dragon,” currently thrilling global audiences in ScreenX and 4DX, with “F1: The Movie,” “Jurassic World: New Beginning,” “Superman,” and “Fantastic Four: A New Dawn” set to debut in premium formats this summer. As the world’s first immersive cinema company, CJ 4DPLEX enhances these adventures through multisensory formats that turn moviegoing into something far more dynamic. In the wake of the pandemic and the rise of streaming platforms, there’s been a growing desire for premium, in-person experiences that go beyond what a TV or mobile device can offer. Now, “going to the movies” is better than ever before with CJ 4DPLEX’s cutting-edge technology that elevates the possibilities of cinematic storytelling.
Bringing Movies into the Future
With the bold vision of transforming the movie theater into a sensory playground, CJ 4DPLEX was launched in 2009 as a subsidiary of CJ CGV. Backed by a strong in-house R&D department and robust patent portfolio, the company positioned itself as a leading brand at the intersection of entertainment and innovation, becoming the first company worldwide to develop and commercialize three visionary viewing formats: SCREENX, 4DX and ULTRA 4DX.
SCREENX truly makes the movies more immersive, expanding the screen beyond the traditional frame and utilizing the side walls of the theater to offer a triple-screen, 270-degree viewing experience with a panoramic, multi-projection format. This next-generation setup includes fully reclining seats for a wider viewing angle and a Dolby Atmos sound system with 54 speakers, delivering an experience that evokes the feel of a performance hall or an immersive installation.
4DX upgrades the movie-theater experience into a true roller coaster by synchronizing the on-screen action with rumbling motion seats and other sensory effects like air jets, scent, fog, rain, strobe lights and more — engaging all five senses and taking viewers for a thrilling ride.
ULTRA 4DX blends the magic of both SCREENX and 4DX to deliver the ultimate cinematic experience with all the dynamism of a sensory journey along with panoramic visuals that completely envelop the audience.
These formats don’t just screen existing content — they often require scene-by-scene reformatting, with adjustments to timing, framing, and continuity. CJ 4DPLEX works closely with studios and filmmakers, such as Tom Cruise for Top Gun: Maverick, to ensure the creative integrity of each immersive version.
The company’s technological foundation also enables content diversification across genres. CJ 4DPLEX now supports a wide range of live and pre-recorded formats, from live-stream baseball games to gaming events and K-pop concerts featuring artists like IU, SEVENTEEN, BTS, and BLACKPINK. Notably, KCON JAPAN 2025 was broadcast live earlier this year, reconfigured for each theater format with synchronized visuals and effects. By reinforcing all three pillars of cinematic immersion — screen, sound, and seat — CJ 4DPLEX is setting a new standard for how audiences experience content across formats and genres.
Global Expansion at a Rapid Scale
Audiences love premium theaters, and the numbers prove it: in May, 4DX achieved a global box office of 9.4 million USD in North America alone, up 151% from the previous year, while SCREENX saw a 112% YoY sales growth with 4.6 million USD. As of 2025, CJ 4DPLEX operates over 1,200 premium theaters across 74 countries, with ambitious plans to grow the network to 2,000 locations by 2030.
As a key part of its expansion, the company recently entered into a strategic partnership with AMC, the world’s largest theater chain, with plans to open 25 SCREENX and 40 4DX theaters across North America and Europe. In another major move, CJ 4DPLEX recently announced a global agreement with Barco, a Belgian company leading advancements in laser-projection technology. Through this partnership, CJ 4DPLEX aims to introduce up to 1,000 high-performance laser projectors by 2030, dramatically enhancing projection brightness, contrast, and overall visual quality in SCREENX theaters worldwide.
Looking ahead, the company is driving toward next-generation technology integration with a multi-pronged strategy: expanding SCREENX and 4DX worldwide, developing AI-based autonomous filming technology, exploring automated solutions for the broadcasting of live entertainment, and scaling up VFX production internally.
A Future-Forward Vision of Cinema
CJ 4DPLEX is resolute on diversifying its business portfolio through the global expansion of its premium theaters and continued innovations in movie technology to deepen the storytelling and up the thrills. Pushing the boundaries of cinema platforms, CJ 4DPLEX is dedicated to redefining the big-screen experience for audiences everywhere — not just how we watch movies, but how we experience them.
