Quick Summary
Disney has launched Infinity Vision alongside the new Avengers: Doomsday trailer – but what exactly is it, and is it really a rival to IMAX?
Here we explain all.
Disney has started heavily promoting Infinity Vision with the release of the latest Avengers: Doomsday trailer, encouraging moviegoers to book tickets for the new premium format.
The name might sound like an all-new cinema technology, but that's not actually what's happening. Infinity Vision is Disney's own certification programme for premium large-format cinemas. It's designed to help audiences find the best screens available regardless of which cinema chain they visit.
So what exactly is Infinity Vision, how does it compare to IMAX and Dolby Cinema, and where can UK film fans experience it?
Infinity Vision isn't a new projector
Unlike IMAX or Dolby Cinema, Infinity Vision isn't a proprietary projection or sound system.
Instead, Disney has created a certification that premium cinema screens must meet before they can carry the Infinity Vision branding. Those auditoriums need to deliver huge screens, laser projection, high brightness and immersive premium audio, ensuring films are presented to a minimum technical standard.
That means the actual technology may vary depending on where you watch. One Infinity Vision screen might use Dolby Atmos sound, while another could rely on a different premium audio system, as long as it meets Disney's certification requirements.
Why Disney created Infinity Vision
Avengers: Doomsday launches in December at the same time as Dune: Part Three, which has reportedly secured the coveted IMAX exclusivity window. That means Marvel's biggest film won't enjoy widespread IMAX availability during its opening release.
Infinity Vision allows Disney to highlight hundreds of other premium large-format auditoriums around the world instead of relying solely on IMAX branding.
It's also a useful way to simplify what has become a confusing landscape of cinema brands including IMAX, Dolby Cinema, ScreenX, 4DX, Cineworld Superscreen, Odeon iSense, Everyman XL and many more.
Is Infinity Vision better than IMAX?
IMAX remains a complete end-to-end system, with its own cameras, mastering process, projection standards and specially designed auditoriums.
Infinity Vision doesn't replace that. Instead, it certifies existing premium auditoriums that meet Disney's technical requirements.
In practice, an Infinity Vision screening could look and sound superb, but the experience will depend on the specific cinema rather than a single standardised format. That's why many industry commentators see Infinity Vision as a complement to existing premium screens rather than a direct IMAX competitor.
Where can you watch Infinity Vision in the UK?
Disney hasn't published a definitive UK cinema list yet, but Infinity Vision works with participating premium large-format screens rather than creating new auditoriums.
That means UK viewers should expect participating premium screens at major chains to be certified where they meet Disney's standards. As bookings roll out for Avengers: Doomsday, supported locations will be identified during the ticket booking process.
If you're planning to see Marvel's biggest film of the year, choosing an Infinity Vision screening should mean you're getting one of the biggest, brightest and best-sounding presentations available, even if it doesn't carry the IMAX logo.
