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Hoyts Cinemas is deploying 12 new ScreenX auditoriums across its Australian and New Zealand network by 2028, bringing its total to 14 and making it the largest operator of the 270-degree immersive format in the region as premium cinema experiences drive record box office returns globally.
The first of the new auditoriums will open at Hoyts Broadway in Sydney on 30 July to coincide with the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, the first Hollywood film shot natively for the ScreenX format.
ScreenX has been designed to transform the moviegoing experience with its revolutionary format, seamlessly extending the picture beyond the front screen onto the auditorium's left and right walls.
The premium 270-degree panoramic presentation is said to enhance key scenes by providing an immersive cinematic experience.
The rollout will span Hoyts' 61-location footprint, with venues selected based on audience demand and site suitability.
The expansion comes as ScreenX's commercial momentum accelerates in the United States, where CJ 4DPLEX - the South Korean company behind the format - reported record first-half 2026 results.
ScreenX domestic box office in the US surged 55.1 per cent year on year to US$31.84 million ($49.4 million) in the first six months of 2026, buoyed by strong performances from The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, which posted a US$2.7 million ScreenX opening weekend, the format's biggest ever, and Toy Story 5, which grossed US$3.6 million on ScreenX screens alone.
Hoyts Group president and CEO Damian Keogh says the chain's ScreenX commitment reflects a broader strategic bet on immersive formats as the primary growth engine for theatrical exhibition.
"The response to ScreenX from audiences across Australia has been strong, and we look forward to expanding this premium experience across our network," he says.
"Immersive cinema is the future of moviegoing, and these 12 new auditoriums are another step towards bringing that experience to more guests."
Jun Bang, CEO of CJ 4DPLEX, says the next generation of ScreenX content represents "a major step forward" in creating experiences that cannot be replicated at home.
"The future of cinema lies in delivering experiences that audiences simply cannot enjoy anywhere else," says Bang.
"ScreenX transforms storytelling by surrounding moviegoers with a 270-degree cinematic canvas, and our new 'Shot for ScreenX' initiative takes that immersion even further by enabling filmmakers to create movies specifically for the format from the very beginning.
“We are proud to launch this new era with Spider-Man: Brand New Day and to expand our partnership with Hoyts as we continue redefining the theatrical experience."
Don Savant, chief business officer of CJ 4DPLEX America, says that Hoyts has established itself as the leading ScreenX exhibitor in Australia and New Zealand.
“Their commitment to innovation and premium cinema experiences has made them an ideal partner for ScreenX's continued expansion," he says.
"Together, we're bringing a new generation of immersive theatrical experiences that audiences simply can't experience at home to moviegoers across the region."
The ScreenX rollout sits alongside a separate deal Hoyts struck with IMAX Corporation in April to install 10 new IMAX with Laser systems across its circuit, expanding its IMAX footprint from four to 14 auditoriums.
IMAX reported a record Australian box office of $18.6 million in 2025, underlining the commercial case for premium-format investment in the market.
The expansion comes on the heels of a strong run by Australia's broader cinema market which recorded three consecutive months of more than $100 million in gross receipts for the first time, with admissions up 16 per cent year on year in the first half of 2026.
Premium formats such as IMAX and ScreenX, which command higher ticket prices, have been credited with helping to lead some of this growth.
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