There are several different, competing movie theater formats, leaving the average moviegoer confused which one does what and what types of movies are best in the format. This post is intended to help cut through the terminology.
Ok, so they confused my wife and I somewhat. Good news! We’ve experienced almost all of them now. Each requires some type of premium ticket price in addition to the regular price. If you are a Regal Unlimited pass member like we are, then it’s like $3-5 per ticket for each movie, depending on the experience.
These are the formats: 3D, IMAX, 4DX, Dolby Cinema, RPX, ScreenX
3D – glasses required. Enhanced scenes with depth and sometimes “in your face” movement. Best movies for 3D are action, sci-fi and horror and any other movie with a lot of movement on screen. Many use the Real 3D black with tinted glasses which aren’t the red and blue cardboard glasses you might remember from the past. Most recent movie we’ve seen in 3D was Gemin Man HFR (60 fps).
IMAX – the largest screen experience currently available. Haven’t seen any IMAX recently, but in the past have watched a few movies in this format.
4DX – interactive, seat movement, air and scents. Best for action movies giving you the sensation you literally in the chase scene. Most recent movie we’ve seen in this format: Rambo: Last Blood 4DX
D-BOX – motion-controlled seating, similar to 4DX but appears to not have the scents or water sensation, and be not as proprietary, whereas 4DX is a Regal-only option (added 3/2/2020)
ScreenX – five projectors are used and intermittently utilize the side walls of theater to extend the screen. For example, if it’s a scene involving a car, you’ll see the side scenery in addition to what’s on the main screen. Most recent movie we’ve seen in this format: Ford v Ferrari.
DRX – Dolby Atmos sound in Galaxy theaters. Proprietary to Galaxy cinemas only? I don’t know (added 3/2/2020)
RPX – A curved slightly smaller screen with specially enhanced audio that moves all around you in seemingly every direction. Most recent movie we’ve seen in this format is Terminator: Dark Fate.
Dolby Cinema – This format primarily available in AMC theaters. We have not tried this format yet, but have read from reviews that it is the most superior theater audio experience available. A “little” better than RPX which is Regal Cinema’s high fidelity audio based on Dolby Atmos.
The following Reddit provides more details on the differences between the various audio formats.
I can’t seem to find anything online reviewing and comparing these premium screenings even tho they are identical competitors. What are the similarities and differences and which one do prefer?
Dolby Cinema vs RPX : movies
How many of the different enhanced experiences have you tried?
Movies, Movies, Movies 
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