13 Marvel Movies To Get The IMAX Treatment On Disney+

by · Forbes

IMAX and Disney+ have announced today that from Friday November 12 (Disney+ Day, apparently), 13 films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe will be available to watch in the ‘expanded’ IMAX aspect ratio. 

Given that this ratio is 1.90:1 versus the 2.35:1 ratio typically used in non-IMAX theatrical and ‘standard’ streaming/Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray presentations, Disney+ and IMAX pitch their new collaboration as enabling Marvel fans to see ‘up to 26% more’ of their beloved movie favourites than they’ve probably seen before. 

Or to put it another way, as the aspect ratio of standard widescreen TVs is 1.78:1, presenting the Marvel films in IMAX’s 1.90:1 ratio will result in much smaller black bars above and below the picture than you get if you watch the same films in their regular cinematic 2.35:1 ratio. 

See more of the Marvel picture with the new support for IMAX aspect ratios on Disney+.Photo: Disney/IMAX

You won’t have to own a TV that’s received official IMAX Enhanced approval to enjoy the new Disney+ IMAX Enhanced Marvel movies, either. The correct ratio of the new IMAX Enhanced titles will be available on any TV. 

Where a TV - such as many of Sony’s latest models - specifically boasts IMAX Enhanced support among its specifications, it means that their performance standards have officially been assessed by IMAX as good enough to unlock more of the full potential of IMAX’s exclusive mastering technology; it doesn’t mean they’re the only sets that can take advantage of the IMAX aspect ratio. 

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IMAX has confirmed, too, that the IMAX-ratio titles will also be available on and play correctly through external streaming devices such as Apple TV and Sky Q boxes in the UK. It won’t only be Disney+ apps integrated into TVs that will deliver the 1.90:1 ‘shape’.

IMAX and Disney+ are additionally promising that at some as yet unconfirmed future date the Disney+ IMAX Enhanced Marvel titles will be joined by the special version of DTS:X audio that’s part of the full IMAX Enhanced experience. This special mix will likely require IMAX Enhanced AV receivers or soundbars to unlock - but full details won’t be available until nearer the feature’s launch.

While TVs with formal IMAX Enhanced specification, such as this Sony 85X95J, aren't needed to ... [+] experience the full IMAX aspect ratio, they have been formally assessed by IMAX as being good enough displays to do justice to the unique IMAX Enhanced mastering system.Photo: Sony

The 13 Marvel titles you’ll be able to witness on Disney+ in all their IMAX Enhanced splendour from November 12 (bearing in mind that the IMAX Enhanced content availability ‘varies by region’) are:

Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings

Iron Man

Guardians Of The Galaxy

Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol 2

Captain America: Civil War

Doctor Strange

Thor: Ragnarok

Black Panther

Avengers: Infinity War

Ant-Man And The Wasp

Captain Marvel

Avengers: Endgame

Black Widow 

It’s worth noting that Infinity War and Endgame were the first films in movie history to be shot entirely with IMAX digital cameras. The other titles on the list will switch to the IMAX ratio only for the sections of them that were shot specifically for the IMAX format.

It doesn't seem likely at this point that Disney will re-issue titles in the IMAX Enhanced format ... [+] that it's already released on disc in the 2.35:1 theatrical ratio.Photo: Disney/Marvel Studios

Looking ahead, it doesn’t seem as if these these 13 titles will be the end of the Disney+/IMAX Enhanced story. Here’s what Michael Paull, President of Disney+ and ESPN+ had to say about the collaboration with IMAX:

“Disney, Marvel Studios, and IMAX have collaborated for years to bring the world’s most popular films to the big screen, and on Friday we’ll start to bring IMAX technology to subscribers with IMAX Enhanced viewing in the Disney+ app. We’re thrilled to create new value for Marvel fans and audiences on Disney+, and we’re looking forward to offering even more IMAX Enhanced functionality in the future.”

Fans of physical media might be wondering if Disney’s new enthusiasm for IMAX as a home cinema format will see it starting to release films on Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray disc with the IMAX ratio included. While I guess it’s possible, I have to say it feels to me like something the studio may well retain as a specific Disney+ attraction. And it certainly doesn’t seem likely that we’ll see disc re-issues of these 13 Marvel titles complete with IMAX ratios added. Though stranger things have happened, of course…

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