What's the difference?

IMAX

A taller IMAX screen that fills more of your view; some films are shot specifically for it, showing more of the frame. The newer «IMAX with Laser» adds sharper laser projection and 12-channel sound — Novo runs it at IMG Worlds Cinemas in Dubai.

At: VOX Cinemas, Novo Cinemas, Cinemacity — Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah

Today’s price range (21 October 2026): 50 – 225 AED (6 cinemas)

Worth it for which film? Worth it for action, sci-fi and adventure films built around the big picture.

4DX

Seats that move with the film in three directions, plus wind, water, fog and sometimes scent — over 20 effects can run together.

At: VOX Cinemas — Dubai

Today’s price range (21 October 2026): 78.75 AED (1 cinema)

Worth it for which film? Fun for fast action and thrillers; not comfortable for a long, quiet film.

MX4D

The same moving-seat idea — wind, water, snow and small seat jabs — from the American maker MediaMation instead of CJ 4DPLEX, the company behind 4DX.

At: Star Cinemas, Reel Cinemas

Worth it for which film? The same call as 4DX: a fast action film, not a quiet one.

ScreenX

The picture spills from the centre screen onto both side walls, a 270-degree view — only in scenes the director shot for it, not the whole film.

At: Reel Cinemas — Dubai

Today’s price range (21 October 2026): 50 – 60 AED (1 cinema)

Worth it for which film? Worth it for action or wide nature scenes shot specifically for the format.

Dolby Cinema / Atmos

Dolby Vision picture with sharper contrast and colour, and Dolby Atmos sound coming from above and around you, not just from the front.

At: Star Cinemas, Reel Cinemas — Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Al Ain, Dubai

Today’s price range (21 October 2026): 42 – 85 AED (7 cinemas)

Worth it for which film? Worth it for films built on sound — action and concert films.

Luxury seating (VIP / Platinum / Gold / Theatre / Suites)

Not a projection technology — wider, fully reclining leather seats and food to your seat. Every chain names it differently: VIP at Cine Royal, Platinum at Reel and Roxy, GOLD and THEATRE at VOX, Suites at Star.

At: VOX Cinemas, Star Cinemas, Roxy Cinemas, Reel Cinemas, Cine Royal, Cinemacity — Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah

Today’s price range (21 October 2026): 52.50 – 225 AED (34 cinemas)

Worth it for which film? Worth it for any film you want to watch in comfort, especially a long one — not tied to a particular kind of film.

Kids halls

A hall built for children — colourful seating, sometimes a play floor — showing only animation and family films.

At: VOX Cinemas, Cine Royal — Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Al Ain, Dubai, Sharjah

Today’s price range (21 October 2026): 42 – 49 AED (16 cinemas)

Worth it for which film? For children's and family films only.