Disney+ on Monday announced that it was adding an expanded IMAX aspect ratio for Shang-Chi, Black Panther and 11 other films starting November 12, which is Disney+ Day. IMAX Enhanced, which was launched in 2018, uses 40 per cent larger screens and a 26 per cent taller aspect ratio. Compared to the standard 2.35:1, IMAX uses a 1.90:1 IMAX aspect ratio which almost makes the black bars on the screen disappear.

IMAX had launched its IMAX enhanced program back in 2018 in partnership with DTS to give users the closest-IMAX experience possible outside the multiplexes. It is compatible with some devices From Sony Bravia and TCL. The program aims to give users an immersive experience by collaborating with consumer electronics with IMAX digitally re-mastered 4K HDR content and DTS audio technologies. Now, Disney+ is changing its aspect ratio to IMAX Enhanced to give users a more immersive experience.

The IMAX-Enhanced films with IMAX ratio will feature a label on their Disney+ screens and users will be able to launch a standard widescreen version, Engadget reported. The report noted that physical Blu-ray collectors are shifting to IMAX aspect ratios in some films including The Dark Knight, Tenet and Mission Impossible: Fallout. Jack Snyder shot DC’s Batman vs Superman and Justice League in 1:85 aspect ratio. Avengers: Infinity War and End Game were also shot in IMAX 1:85:1.

The movies that will support IMAX enhanced new aspect ratio will be Ant-Man and the Wasp, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Black Panther, Black Widow, Captain America: Civil War, Captain Marvel, Doctor Strange, Guardians of the Galaxy 1 & 2, Iron Man, Thor Ragnarok, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. IMAX Enhanced is also set to bring immersive DTS sound to Disney+. IMAX-enhanced films are also said to support Dolby Vision, HDR10, 4K and Dolby Atmos sound.

Cinematographer Neil Oseman in a blog post noted that aspect ration 2.39:1 was introduced in the 1950s. Oseman noted that for the subsequent movies, fans complained that The Avengers was not cinematic enough because of its aspect ratio. “I wanted to feel the space around us, and use wider lenses. That’s why I went 1.85 instead of wider. In IMAX, I wanted it to fill your eyeball completely,” the blog post quoted director Joss Whedon.