A Cinematic Power Move
European exhibitor giant Vue Cinemas, the largest privately owned cinema chain in Europe and a market leader in the UK and Italy, has unveiled its new Premium Large Format (PLF) experience called EPIC by Vue. Set to debut late July 2025 in Nottingham, this format aims to rival IMAX’s dominance in big-screen spectacle.
High-Tech Visuals: HDR by Barco Laser Projection
At the core of EPIC is Barco’s HDR laser projection system, featuring “Lightsteering” technology that achieves up to six times higher peak luminance than standard systems. Paired with laser projection, it delivers richer colours, deeper blacks, and dazzling brightness. This aims to bring blockbusters to life in a way traditional projectors simply can’t.
Immersive Sound & Stadium Feel
Every EPIC auditorium will include immersive, ceiling-to-floor audio systems and host the largest screens in each cinema that is intended to transform any film into an enveloping, event-like experience.
Bold European Expansion
An initial rollout will see 11 EPIC venues across the UK, Italy, and the Netherlands in 2025, scaling to at least 50 screens by the end of 2027, adding to Vue’s 1,950+ screens across 223 sites. This marks a shift in premium cinema strategy. Instead of leasing IMAX auditoriums, Vue is investing in its own next-gen PLF ecosystem.
Vue’s Broader Tech Ambitions
This launch complements Vue’s prior March 2025 deal with Barco, which commits to installing over 1,000 Barco Series 4 laser projectors by 2029 across its venues. Together with other amenities like Ultra Lux recliners and automated foyer technology, Vue is staking its future on a high-tech, comfortable cinema vision.
IMAX vs EPIC: What Sets Them Apart
| Feature | IMAX | EPIC by Vue |
| Screen Format | 1.43:1 / 1.90:1 film or digital | Largest screen in-house; format flexible |
| Projection | Proprietary dual‑laser IMAX | Barco HDR laser with Light-steering |
| Sound | 12‑channel immersive, calibrated globally | Custom immersive systems per theatre |
| Rollout Scale | Select cinemas only | Dozens of sites planned across Europe |
While IMAX offers a tightly controlled, standardised experience, EPIC positions itself as a cinematic powerhouse with local flexibility, comfort upgrades, and enhanced accessibility, where the “biggest screen in the house” is the marquee draw.
What’s The Relevance
- For Audiences: More access to premium cinematic experiences without IMAX’s premium markup or limited locations.
- For Vue: Increased control over tech, branding, and revenue streams.
- For the Industry: PLFs like EPIC are challenging IMAX’s grip, giving chains a powerful tool for differentiation.
And Finally
With EPIC by Vue, Vue Cinemas is not just launching another big-screen format. It’s igniting a strategic challenge to IMAX’s theatrical hegemony in Europe. Leveraging cutting-edge Barco HDR technology, immersive soundscapes, and a focused rollout plan, EPIC delivers a tailored, local alternative to global formats. Whether movie lovers flock for blockbuster premieres or indie gems, EPIC is poised to become Vue’s flagship frontline in the next era of cinema innovation.
Source: Variety
