4D film is a presentation system combining motion pictures with synchronized physical effects that occur in the theater. Effects simulated in 4D films include motion, vibration, scent, rain, mist, bubbles, fog, smoke, wind, temperature changes, and strobe lights.Archived atGhostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Seats in 4D venues vibrate and move.
As of 2022, 4D films have been exhibited in more than 65 countries. 4D motion pictures are also exhibited in theme parks.
History The term "4D film" is a marketing term to capitalize on the popularity of 3D film. Precursors of the modern 4D film presentation include Sensurround, which debuted in 1974 with the film Earthquake. Only a few films were presented in Sensurround, and Dolby Stereo replaced it in 1977, which featured extended bass frequencies and made subwoofers a common addition to cinema. Other notable efforts at pushing the boundaries of the film viewing experience include Fantasound, the first use of stereo sound; Cinemiracle and Cinerama, both widescreen formats utilizing multiple projectors; and Smell-O-Vision.
The Sensorium is regarded as the world's first commercial 4D film and was first screened in 1984 at Six Flags Power Plant in Baltimore. It was produced in partnership with Landmark Entertainment.
4DX, D-Box Technologies, and Mediamation all currently integrate 4D technology in global stadium seating multiplexes.
List of 4D presentation systems for film theaters The following is a list of 4D presentation systems developed for traditional film theaters with Stereoscopic 3D.
+Overview of 4D providersFormatDeveloperEffects Notes4DXCJ 4D Plexmotion, vibration, scent/olfactory, water sprays, wind/air, snow, fog, strobes, lightning, bubblesCineworld, Regal Cinemas, Event CinemasD-BoxD-Box Technologiesmotion, vibrationCinemark Theatres, Hoyts CinemasMX4DMediaMationmotion, vibration, scent/olfactory, water sprays, wind/air, snow, fog, strobes, lightning, bubblesParamount Skydance, Showcase4D E-MotionLummamotion, vibration, scent/olfactory, water sprays, wind/air, snow, fog, strobes, lightning, bubblesHarkins Theatres(Not named by developer)Red Rovermotion, water sprays, wind/air, scent/olfactory, fog, strobes, bubbles,Branded as Super 4D in Lotte Cinema installations.
Selected filmography
Title Year Release venue/Country Notes The Sensorium 1984 Six Flags Power Plant, Baltimore, MD The very first 4D film. Captain EO 1986 Epcot, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland Closed in the mid-late 1990s and reopened in 2010 as a tribute to the late Michael Jackson. Muppet*Vision 3D 1991 Disney's Hollywood Studios Directed by Jim Henson. Honey, I Shrunk the Audience 1994 Epcot, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disneyland Sponsored by Kodak, closed in all locations in May 2010, and was replaced with Captain EO. Terminator 2 3D: Battle Across Time 1996 Universal Studios Japan Directed by James Cameron Pirates 4D 1997 SeaWorld Ohio, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Thorpe Park in the UK, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Produced by Busch Entertainment, Directed by Keith Melton. PandaDroom 2002 The Efteling, Netherlands Same film released in other parks without 4D effects SpongeBob SquarePants 4-D 2003 Six Flags over Texas, Moody Gardens, Shedd Aquarium, Adventure Dome, Six Flags Great Adventure, Movie Park Germany, Adventure Aquarium, Kings Dominion, (formerly at Paramount Parks), Indianapolis Zoo, Carowinds, Camden Aquarium (Camden, NJ), Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo and other locations Mickey's PhilharMagic 2003 Magic Kingdom, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disney California Adventure. In collaboration with Walt Disney Animation Studios. Haunted Lighthouse 2003 Flamingo Land Theme Park and Zoo Shrek 4-D 2003 Universal Studios Florida, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Universal Studios Singapore Released in an anaglyph version as Shrek 3-D on DVD Borg Invasion 2004 Star Trek: The Experience, at Las Vegas Hilton, US Closed in 2008, to be reopened in Neonopolis, Las Vegas Fly Me to the Moon 2008 Six Flags over Texas Journey to the Center of the Earth 4-D Adventure 2008 Vibrant 5D, Raipur, India Stone Mountain Park, Dollywood, Warner Bros. Movie WorldFly High: The Legend of Black Man 2017 India First Indian 4D film; directed by Rahul Rathish Kumar Avatar 4D 2009 South Korea, Hong Kong In 4DX. James Cameron, Director London Eye 4D Experience 2009 London Eye Produced by Centre Screen Productions and Principal Large Format Beyond All Boundaries 2009 WWII Museum, New Orleans Produced by Tom HanksENERGIA The Spirit of the Earth 2009 Cité de l'énergie, Shawinigan (Quebec) Spectators are seated on a revolving platform. Features wind, snow, smoke, rain, vibration, and lighting effects. "The Garden" 2010 USA pavilion at Expo 2010 The eight-minute film was projected upon five 10-meter-high screens. Marvel Super Heroes 4D 2010 Madame Tussauds London, Trans Studio Bandung Rabid Rider 2010 Cincinnati Zoo Shalem 2011 Jerusalem Time Elevator, Jerusalem A 3000-year-old guide to Jerusalem's history at the Jerusalem Time Elevator, Jerusalem.Jerusalem Time Elevator Tickets GoJerusalem.comThe Bourne Legacy2012MultinationalIn 4DX Tallgrass Prairie: Tides of Time 2012 Flint Hills Discovery Center, Manhattan, Kansas Features wind, snow, smoke, and lightning effects Prometheus 2012 Cinepolis Galerias Guadalajara, Mexico In 4DX. Ridley Scott, DirectorTitanic2012Multinational4DX re-release, James Cameron, Director The Adventures of Tintin 2011 Nickelodeon Resorts, Paramount Parks, North Carolina Zoo, and Alton Towers 14-minute condensed version of the film. Iron Man 3 2013 Korona World Theatre Nagoya, Japan, Seoul, South KoreaLabeled as 4DX featuring strobe lights, tilting seats, blowing wind, fog, and odor effects.47 Ronin2014MultinationalIn 4DXFury2014MultinationalIn 4DXInterstellar2014MultinationalIn 4DX. Christopher Nolan, Director Rio 2014 San Diego Zoo, Kentucky Kingdom, North Carolina Zoo, Indianapolis Zoo, Cincinnati Zoo 12-minute condensed version of the film. Temple Run 7D 2014 India 9-minute ride to various Indian temples, including Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, Rameshwaram, and Dwarka, produced by Modern Techno Projects Private Ltd.Happy FeetMultinationalStar Wars: The Force Awakens2015MultinationalIn 4DX. J.J. Abrams, Director Ice Age: No Time for Nuts 4D 2015 United States 4D-remastered version of the 2006 short film of the same name.Rogue One2016MultinationalIn 4DX Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice 2016 Seoul, Korea and New York City, New York Labeled as 4DX including fog, wind, motion, rain, lightning, vibrations and scents. Pixels 2016 Taguig, Philippines 4DX re-release including models, sprites, explosives, and bullets. Mass Effect: New Earth 4D 2016 California's Great America -minute film, 60-foot screen with 4K HDR resolution, live performers, wind, water, leg pokers, neck ticklers, 80-channel surround sound. LEGO Nexo Knights 4D: The Book of Creativity 2016 Legoland parks and Legoland Discovery Centre parks worldwide -minute 4D film of LEGO Nexo Knights shown at Legoland, along with The LEGO Movie 4D Produced by Alexander Lentjes for M2Film and Merlin EntertainmentsGravity2018Multinational4DX re-release, Alfonso Cuarón, DirectorLife of Pi2018Multinational4DX re-release, Ang Lee, Director19172019MultinationalIn 4DX, Sam Mendes, Director, Produced by Amblin PartnersStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker2019MultinationalIn 4DX. J.J. Abrams, DirectorGemini Man2019MultinationalIn 4DX. Ang Lee, DirectorThe Lion King2019MultinationalIn 4DX. Jon Favreau, DirectorInception2020Multinational4DX re-release, Christopher Nolan, DirectorThe Matrix Resurrections2021MultinationalIn 4DX. Lana Wachowski, DirectorTop Gun: Maverick2022MultinationalIn 4DX. Directed by Joseph Kosinski.The Super Mario Bros. Movie2023MultinationalIn 4DX. Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic DirectorsTom and Jerry2022MultinationalScoob!2023MultinationalDC League of Super-Pets2023MultinationalScrooge: A Christmas Carol2023MultinationalOppenheimer2023MultinationalIn 4DX. Christopher Nolan, DirectorPostcard from Earth2023Sphere at the Venetian Resort, Las VegasEffects include wind, scents, and infrasound seat vibrations. Directed by Darren Aronofsky.Godzilla Minus One2023JapanIn 4DX. Directed by Takashi YamazakiThe Wizard of Oz at Sphere2025Sphere at the Venetian Resort, Las VegasSpecial effects include wind, scents, and infrasound seat vibrations. Directed by Victor Fleming. Immersive version of the 1939 film.
See also 4DX Simulator ride
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References