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For several years Disney has been developing the IMAX Enhanced format on its streaming platform, allowing viewers to watch selected films in an expanded image format. Disney+'s library now includes 26 titles that use the expanded 1.90:1 image, but the situation is completely different for UHD Blu-ray. So far only three films with the expanded image format have appeared on physical releases. For 4K disc collectors this is a major problem, especially since many films available in IMAX on Disney+ have not received a similar version on physical media.
Disney+ expands IMAX, but UHD Blu-ray lags behind
Disney introduced the IMAX Enhanced initiative in partnership with IMAX nearly five years ago. One of its key features is the ability to watch films in an expanded 1.90:1 aspect ratio, which during select scenes gives the viewer a larger portion of the image than the standard theatrical 2.39:1. On Disney+ this has been used in as many as 26 films, including many popular Marvel titles. For a while it seemed the same approach would be adopted for UHD Blu-ray discs. A good example was Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which in 2023 received a release that switched the aspect ratio between the standard format and the taller IMAX framing. That was, however, an exception rather than the start of a wider change. More recent releases such as The Marvels, Captain America: Brave New World and The Fantastic Four: First Steps were issued on UHD Blu-ray in the classic 2.39:1 format, even though on Disney+ they can switch between 2.39:1 and 1.90:1.
It's worth noting that the digital IMAX 1.90:1 format is not the same as the classic 1.43:1 format found in the largest IMAX auditoriums equipped with 70 mm projectors or dual-laser GT systems. The latter is much taller and appears only in selected productions. For home IMAX Enhanced we most often mean the 1.90:1 ratio, which allows you to use a larger portion of the screen.
Why isn’t Disney putting IMAX on 4K discs?
The problem becomes even more apparent when you look at the IMAX film market as a whole. Although Disney+ and Sony Pictures Core offer titles in the expanded format, many films shot with IMAX in mind still haven’t received a proper version on physical media or in streaming. Among those titles are Dune, Dune: Part Two, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and F1: The Movie. For UHD Blu-ray collectors this is especially disappointing, because 4K discs are aimed at people who expect the best possible picture and sound quality. Meanwhile, for some films the Disney+ streaming version offers extra image area that’s missing on the physical release. Interestingly, Disney has a huge library of Marvel productions, many of which use IMAX, so there’s no shortage of potential titles for such releases. Currently on UHD Blu-ray with the expanded image format are Tron: Legacy, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu. That’s very few compared with the 26 films available in IMAX Enhanced on Disney+. For now it’s unclear whether Disney plans to change its strategy and start releasing more films in the expanded format on 4K discs as well.
Disney clearly emphasises IMAX Enhanced on its streaming service, but that hasn't translated into an equally broad UHD Blu-ray catalogue. The fact that 26 films are available in the enhanced format on Disney+, compared with only three corresponding disc releases, shows a huge imbalance. For home cinema fans, this means that to enjoy the full IMAX frame in many cases they have to opt for streaming rather than a physical release. For now we'll have to wait and see whether Disney decides to use IMAX more often on its 4K discs.
source: flatpanelshd
