4D film is a

high technology High technology (high tech), also known as advanced technology (advanced tech) or exotechnology, is technology that is at the cutting edge: the highest form of technology available. It can be defined as either the most complex or the newest te ...

multisensory presentation system combining

motion pictures A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...

with physical effects that are synchronized and occur in the theatre. Effects simulated in 4D films include motion,

vibration Vibration is a mechanical phenomenon whereby oscillations occur about an equilibrium point. The word comes from Latin ''vibrationem'' ("shaking, brandishing"). The oscillations may be periodic, such as the motion of a pendulum—or random, su ...

scent An odor (American English) or odour (Commonwealth English; see spelling differences) is caused by one or more volatilized chemical compounds that are generally found in low concentrations that humans and animals can perceive via their sense ...

, rain, mist, bubbles, fog, smoke, wind, temperature changes, and strobe lights. Advanced seats in 4D venues vibrate and move during these multisensory presentations. Other common effects include air jets and water sprays.

Auditorium An auditorium is a room built to enable an audience to hear and watch performances. For movie theatres, the number of auditoria (or auditoriums) is expressed as the number of screens. Auditoria can be found in entertainment venues, communit ...

effects may include smoke,

rain Rain is water droplets that have condensed from atmospheric water vapor and then fall under gravity. Rain is a major component of the water cycle and is responsible for depositing most of the fresh water on the Earth. It provides water f ...

lightning Lightning is a naturally occurring electrostatic discharge during which two electrically charged regions, both in the atmosphere or with one on the ground, temporarily neutralize themselves, causing the instantaneous release of an average ...

bubble Bubble, Bubbles or The Bubble may refer to: Common uses * Bubble (physics), a globule of one substance in another, usually gas in a liquid ** Soap bubble * Economic bubble, a situation where asset prices are much higher than underlying fund ...

s, and scent. 4D films are exhibited in every major global market in stadium seating multiplexes and are exhibited via worldwide theatrical releases. Multinational mobile 4D theatres include Cinetransformer venues. And as of 2022, 4D films are exhibited in more than 65 countries globally. 4D motion pictures are also exhibited in

theme park An amusement park is a park that features various attractions, such as rides and games, as well as other events for entertainment purposes. A theme park is a type of amusement park that bases its structures and attractions around a central ...

History

The precursors of the modern 4D film presentation include Sensurround, which debuted in 1974 with the film ''

Earthquake An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor) is the shaking of the surface of the Earth resulting from a sudden release of energy in the Earth's lithosphere that creates seismic waves. Earthquakes can range in intensity, fr ...

''. Only a few films were presented in Sensurround, and it was supplanted by Dolby Stereo in 1977, which featured extended low frequencies and made subwoofers a common addition to cinema . Other notable efforts at pushing the boundaries of the film viewing experience include

Fantasound Fantasound was a reproduction system developed by engineers of Walt Disney studios and RCA for Walt Disney's animated film ''Fantasia'', the first commercial film released in stereo. Origins Walt Disney's cartoon character Mickey Mouse entered ...

, the first use of stereo sound,

Cinemiracle Cinemiracle was a widescreen cinema format competing with Cinerama developed in the 1950s. It was ultimately unsuccessful, with only a single film produced and released in the format. Like Cinerama it used 3 cameras to capture a 2.59:1 image. Cine ...

, and

Cinerama Cinerama is a widescreen process that originally projected images simultaneously from three synchronized 35mm projectors onto a huge, deeply curved screen, subtending 146° of arc. The trademarked process was marketed by the Cinerama corporati ...

, both widescreen formats utilizing multiple projectors. '' The Sensorium'' is regarded as the world's first commercial 4D film and was first screened in 1984 at

Six Flags Power Plant Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is an American amusement park corporation, headquartered in Arlington, Texas. It has properties in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Six Flags owns the most theme parks and waterparks combined of any amu ...

in Baltimore. It was produced in partnership with Landmark Entertainment.

4DX 4DX is a 4D film format developed by CJ 4DPlex, a subsidiary of South Korean cinema chain CJ CGV. It allows films to be augmented with various practical effects, including motion-seats, wind, strobe-lights, simulated-snow, and scents. First i ...

D-Box Technologies D-BOX Technologies Inc., informally known as D-BOX, is a publicly traded haptic motion technology company based in Longueuil, Quebec. The company designs and manufactures motion and haptic systems for entertainment, simulation and training indust ...

, and Mediamation all currently integrate 4D technology in global stadium seating multiplexes.

List of 4D presentation systems for film theatres

The following is a list of 4D presentation systems developed for traditional film theatres.

Selected filmography

Notes

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:4D Film Motion picture film formats 3D films 1984 introductions *

History

List of 4D presentation systems for film theatres

Selected filmography

See also

Notes

References