This winter, moviegoers will be faced with a choice not seen since July 21, 2023. While “Barbenheimer” ended up a win-win—Barbie was the highest-grossing movie of the year, and Oppenheimer won the Best Picture Oscar—it’s not yet certain who will rise on December 18, 2026. Will Dune: Part Three, the final entry in Denis Villeneuve’s highly acclaimed sci-fi trilogy, reign supreme? Or will Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel’s bold-faced attempt to recapture its superhero movie magic, win the battle?
It’s too early to tell, especially after both films showed exciting new teases at this week’s CinemaCon. But one film has a distinct advantage going into that popcorn-laden weekend. Dune: Part Three has the IMAX market locked down, meaning it will get to show off its sandy action on the most covetable giant screens.
Not one to be outdone, though, Disney would like fans to know that Doomsday will still look and sound as fantastic as possible, thanks to its newly announced “Infinity Vision.”
According to a press release, Infinity Vision is no mere gimmick; it’s “a new certification for premium large format (PLF) theaters.” If a theater is certified, it means audiences can expect “the biggest, brightest, and most immersive cinematic experiences” based on “rigorous technical standards” for screen size, image clarity, and sound.
While that sounds encouraging, it also seems like there’s some FOMO going on here. Infinity Vision-certified theaters are really just regular theaters that can brag they feature tip-top equipment. It’s not the same seeing a movie in the massive, eardrum-shattering IMAX format.
However, you have to guess Disney wanted to make sure Marvel fans—who, let’s face it, have a lot of crossover with Dune fans—didn’t feel left behind. Maybe the studio hopes it’ll encourage people who might have waited on seeing Doomsday to go opening weekend anyway. There is spoiler avoidance to consider, after all!
The press release notes that Infinity Vision will include “over 75 domestic and 300 global exhibitor PLFs.” You can first experience it during September’s re-release of Avengers: Endgame, and then, of course, in December when Doomsday arrives.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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