What is IMAX Enhanced on Disney+? How do you watch it? And, what movies are available?
What is IMAX Enhanced?
On November 11, 2021, streaming service Disney+ added IMAX Enhanced to over a dozen titles from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. IMAX Enhanced on Disney+ offers more viewing area on “widescreen” 16×9 TVs, whereas other wide cinematic formats may present black bars (also known as “letterboxing”) on the top and bottom of the image.
The new format allows the movies to be played, or at least partially played depending on the scene, in a 1.90:1 aspect ratio — a format that is more square than typical widescreens but that allows more image area (up to 26% more) on a 16×9 TV.
The difference in image results in smaller letterbox black bar areas above and below the image than you would find in 2.39:1 or similar widescreen formats. In the IMAX Enhanced format, the black bars are barely noticeable.
How do you Watch IMAX Enhanced?
The good news is you don’t need anything special to watch IMAX Enhanced movies on Disney+, just a supporting device. The IMAX Enhanced format will switch whenever the scene is designed to play in 1.90:1 aspect ratio.
To watch the IMAX Enhanced format look for a new section called Versions in the same tab at Extras and Details on Disney+ (see the reference screen photo below). There, you can choose from the IMAX Enhanced format or Widescreen theatrical format.
What Movies Are Available in IMAX Enhanced?
There are close to 20 movies on Disney+ available in IMAX Enhanced. The list includes Avengers, Doctor Strange, Iron Man, and Thor films, to name a few. All of the IMAX Enhanced movies are Marvel Studios productions with the exception of Pixar’s Lightyear. We expect Guardians of the Galaxy, Volume 3 to be the next IMAX Enhanced title.
Here is a list of the IMAX Enhanced titles available on Disney+.
