Agreement follows strong performance of Melbourne Central and Blacktown theaters
"Shot for SCREENX" production model expected to redefine premium cinema experiences
CJ 4DPLEX, a subsidiary of CJ CGV, is accelerating its expansion in Oceania after signing an agreement with HOYTS Cinemas, the largest cinema chain in Australia and New Zealand, to install 12 additional SCREENX auditoriums.
The latest deal will expand HOYTS' SCREENX footprint from two to 14 theaters, creating the largest SCREENX network operated by a single cinema chain in Australia and New Zealand.
The agreement builds on the commercial success of the first two SCREENX theaters opened last year at Melbourne Central and Blacktown. Both locations attracted strong consumer demand for premium movie experiences, with Melbourne Central—HOYTS' flagship cinema—becoming a popular venue not only for moviegoers but also for corporate events and group screenings.
The new SCREENX auditoriums will open in phases through 2028, beginning with HOYTS Broadway in Sydney on July 30.
The first newly opened location will feature "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," the first Hollywood film produced as a "Shot for SCREENX" title.
Unlike the conventional approach of converting completed films into the SCREENX format during post-production, the "Shot for SCREENX" model integrates SCREENX into the filmmaking process from the earliest stages of planning and production.
Under this approach, directors, production teams, and CJ 4DPLEX collaborate from the outset to create scenes specifically designed for SCREENX's immersive three-screen format, allowing action sequences, chase scenes, battles, landscapes, and environmental visuals to extend naturally onto the theater's side walls.
CJ 4DPLEX believes this production method will become a new benchmark for premium cinema content by delivering a more immersive storytelling experience than traditional post-production conversions.
"The success of our SCREENX auditoriums at Melbourne Central and Blacktown clearly demonstrates the strong demand for premium movie experiences," said Damian Keogh, CEO of HOYTS Group. "We are excited to expand SCREENX across Australia and bring this immersive cinematic experience to even more audiences."
Bang Jun-sik, CEO of CJ 4DPLEX, said premium theaters must offer experiences that cannot be replicated at home.
"SCREENX expands storytelling itself through its three-screen format," Bang said. "'Shot for SCREENX' represents a new paradigm that enables filmmakers to create immersive experiences from the very beginning of production."
CJ 4DPLEX continues to expand its global premium cinema business through SCREENX and 4DX technologies.
The company currently operates more than 1,260 premium-format auditoriums across 75 countries, including approximately 480 SCREENX screens. It has established partnerships with leading global cinema operators including AMC, Cineworld, Cinépolis, Cinemark, and CJ CGV.
As streaming platforms continue to reshape the entertainment industry, traditional movie theaters face slowing growth, while premium cinema formats such as IMAX, Dolby Cinema, 4DX, and SCREENX are emerging as key growth drivers by offering differentiated experiences and higher ticket prices.
Industry analysts view the latest agreement as further validation of SCREENX's commercial competitiveness.
They note that HOYTS' decision to commit to 12 additional SCREENX installations after evaluating the performance of its first two locations demonstrates confidence not only in the technology itself but also in its profitability and long-term business potential.
The expansion of the "Shot for SCREENX" production model is also expected to strengthen SCREENX's exclusive content lineup. While most SCREENX releases have traditionally been adapted after principal photography, films designed specifically for the format from the earliest production stages are expected to deliver more immersive and differentiated cinematic experiences.
Market observers believe CJ 4DPLEX is evolving beyond a cinema technology provider into an influential partner in film production, further strengthening its position in the global premium exhibition market. The company's growing partnerships with major theater chains in North America, Europe, and now Oceania are expected to significantly expand the global reach of the SCREENX platform.
