Everything you need to know about how 4D cinema works

Cinema has evolved enormously in recent decades.: from black and white to 3D, including high-definition digital formats. But there's an experience that goes beyond sight and hearing: the 4D cinema. It is a fusion of technology, physical sensations and visual narrative that has come to offer a more intense and immersive way to enjoy movies.

It's no longer just about watching exciting scenes in space battles or high-speed chases; now You can feel the rain splashing on you, the ground vibrating beneath your feet, or the wind blowing through the trees.All of this happens in 4DX theaters, an evolved and technologically advanced version of traditional cinema. Wondering how they do it? Here we tell you all the details.

What exactly is 4D or 4DX cinema?

4D cinema, commercially known as 4DX, is a cinema technology developed by the South Korean company CJ 4DPlexIt was first introduced in theaters in 2009, with the aim of turning movie-watching into a sensory experience that involves the viewer beyond the image and sound.

The big difference with traditional cinema is in the Integration of physical and environmental effects that accompany what happens on screen. This includes from movements in the seats until the issuance of scents, gusts of wind, rain, strobe lights, vibrations and even bubblesEverything is synchronized in real time with the film's scenes.

The technology allows projections both in 2D as in stereoscopic 3D, which is why many titles available in 4DX require the use of polarized glasses. The idea is for the viewer to not just see the film, but experience it in their bodies and minds.

The rooms are specially designed To host this experience: independently controlled mobile seats, water and air devices, scent emitters, and ambient effects distributed throughout the venue.

Technical characteristics of the 4DX rooms

To achieve this synchronization between the visual, the auditory and the sensorial, a very advanced infrastructure is required.. Each seat is mounted on a mobile platform capable of moving in six directions: up, down, left, right, forward, and backward. This platform also includes vibration and impact systems that are activated at key moments in the film.

The movement is combined with a series of physical effects managed by devices placed in the seats and other strategic points in the room:

• Wind: generated by fans on the ceiling or walls, simulates gentle breezes or intense gusts.
• Rain: small drops of water sprayed from the back of the front seat backrests.
• Fog: environmental scenery recreated by means of controlled vapors on the sides or below the screen.
• Smells: Dispersed by diffusers integrated into the seats, they allow you to smell everything from gasoline to flowers.
• Strobe lights: They replicate storms, explosions or gunshots, with rhythmic flashes throughout the room.

In many cases, The technology used is Ultra Laser type, with Barco brand projectors that achieve 4K resolutions and a frame rate of 60 frames per second, offering precise projection for both 2D and 3D films.

To complement the experience, Surround sound is usually Dolby Atmos, with up to 64 audio channels that allow sounds to be located anywhere in three-dimensional space. This enhances the sense of realism, especially in scenes where objects move above the viewer.

Types of effects you can experience in a 4DX room

4DX rooms offer up to 20 different effects, depending on the film and the room setup. Below are some of the most striking ones you might find:

• Full seat movement: tilts, turns and shakes, synchronized with the on-screen action.
• Intense vibrations: In action scenes, shootings or explosions, the seat vibrates to simulate impacts.
• Thematic aromas: from the smell of gunpowder in a war scene to the fragrance of flowers in a meadow.
• Water spray: Simulation of rain or splashes. This can be disabled if the viewer prefers.
• Bubbles: Used in aquatic or magical scenes, they add a festive and immersive atmosphere.
• Wind in the face: provides freshness and immersion in fast-paced or outdoor scenes.
• Lightning and lightning: LED strobe lights that simulate storms or explosions.
• Blows on the back: internal seat simulators that replicate impacts or falls.
• Hot and cold: hot or cold fans that replicate sudden temperature changes in history.

This entire sensory arsenal is activated precisely and synchronized with what's happening on screen, which can easily make you forget you're in a movie theater.

Requirements and recommendations for enjoying 4DX cinema

Due to the intensity of the experience, not all audiences can freely access a 4DX room. There are age, height and health restrictions. to prevent any risk during the screening.

The main conditions are:

• Children under 4 years old are not allowed to enter., nor to people who measure less than 100 cm (it may vary by cinema).
• Pregnant women cannot access for safety, due to sudden movements of the seat.
• People with back, neck or heart problems They should not attend either.
• Those who get dizzy easily or suffer from epilepsy should avoid the 4DX format.

In addition, there are specific regulations within the room., such as keeping your feet on the footrest, not getting up during the movie, not carrying hot drinks, or placing objects that could fly away. It's also important to avoid wearing delicate clothing or accessories that could get wet or damaged by the effects.

Where can you enjoy 4DX cinema in Spain?

At present, 4DX rooms are available in several cinemas in major Spanish cities.The presence of this technology has grown especially thanks to the Kinépolis and Filmax theaters.

These are the main theaters in Spain where you can enjoy 4DX:

• Kinépolis Madrid City of Images
• Kinepolis Diversia (Madrid)
• Kinepolis Valencia Heron City
• Filmax Gran Vía (Hospitalet, Barcelona)

Furthermore, in some theme parks such as the Oceanogràfic in Valencia, Tibidabo, Isla Mágica or Terra Mítica4D cinema experiences are also offered. In these cases, the films are usually themed (nature, adventure, pirates, etc.) and created specifically for those environments, with a runtime that typically doesn't exceed 20 minutes.

4DX Ticket Prices

4DX cinema is noticeably more expensive than a conventional ticket, which is understandable if we take into account the maintenance cost of all the systems involved in the reproduction of sensory effects.

These are the approximate prices in some theaters in Spain:

• Kinépolis: €15,20 general admission. Reduced price of €12,90 for those over 65, children under 13, and those with a Youth Card. 3D glasses cost €1,50 extra.
• Filmax Gran Vía: €15,90 (non-members) and €14,90 (members).
• Oceanographic: €3 supplement on general admission to the aquarium.

The high cost limits the frequency with which these types of rooms are usually visited., but for many film buffs or tech-savvy people, it's an experience worth trying at least once.

What films are shown in 4DX format?

Not all films are adapted for 4DX. Most titles shown with this technology They belong to the genres of action, science fiction, fantasy or animationThis is because they contain a large number of visual and sound elements that allow for the natural integration of physical effects.

Some popular titles that have played in 4DX theaters include:

• Avengers: Endgame
• Capitana marvel
• Aquaman and its sequel
• Hobbs & Shaw (Fast & Furious)
• Bullet train
• Matrix (reprojections and new versions)
• The Hunter requirements and others from the Spider-Man universe

The type of film should allow for the integration of hits, chases, flights or adverse weather.. It doesn't make sense to use this technology for slow dramas or comedies. In fact, cinema operators themselves recommend choosing carefully which film to watch in 4DX to get the most out of it.

Some animated films like Moana 2 o Mufasa: The Lion King They are also being projected in 4DX format, making the experience suitable for family audiences, especially if the children meet the height requirements.

4DX cinema has proven to be a powerful tool for attracting audiences to theaters in an era dominated by streaming. Transform a screening into a multi-sense experience that can't be replicated at home. It has been key to recovering the magic of cinema as a social, emotional, and almost physical experience. The effects are well-calibrated, the sound is exceptional, and the seats manage to generate a real sense of vertigo or shock. If you've never tried it, you'll probably leave the theater with a smile still on your face.