CJ 4DPlex opened twelve new 4DX theaters in its fastest-growing market, Japan, in December. The new screens involved partnerships with five different cinema exhibitors: Aeon Cinemas, United Cinemas, 109 Cinemas, US Cinemas, Korona World.
In 2015, Japanese exhibitors added 4DX 25 screens, bringing the total number being operated in the country to 33. Attendance has tripled compared to the previous year.
United Cinemas has seen successful performance of its first 4DX theater, United Cinema Toyosu, since its launch in 2014. The theater had an average occupancy rate of 60 percent in 2015. Furthermore, 4DX screen at the United Cinemas Toyosu recorded a much higher occupancy rate in comparison with non-4DX screens. For example, Big Hero 6, the first 4DX title at the site, generated a 45 percent higher rate than non 4DX and Mad Max: Fury Road, Kingsman: The Secret Service also saw higher attendance through all screening weeks.
Followed by the opening performance, United Cinemas rolled out additional 4DX theatres, with three sites (Maebashi, Sapporo, Kasukabe) opening in July. Seven sites (Nigata, Toshimaen, Iruma, Mito, Hirakata, Canal City, and Kashihara theaters) were added in December. United Cinemas is the largest operator of 4DX screens in Japan with 11 sites.
Since last week, Star Wars: The Force Awakens has been showing at 33 4DX theatres in Japan and has generated more than 85 percent occupancy rate during its opening week. United Cinemas recorded occupancy rate of almost 100 percent with Star Wars: The Force Awakens in the first screening weekend.
“It is a great honor to open 4DX at Canal City, such a landmark of this area, a large shopping and entertainment complex in Fukuoka. With this opening, United Cinemas will solidify its position as the largest 4DX exhibitor, delivering this unprecedentedly immersive experience to more Japanese moviegoers by operating 11 4DX theaters of total 33 sites in Japan,” said Byung-Hwan Choi, CEO of CJ 4DPlex.”
4DX recently added a 4DX theater in Minatomirai, Yokohama, through their partnership with Aeon Cinemas, the largest cinema exhibitor in Japan.
They opened first 4DX screen in Shijonawate.109 Cinemas is currently operating three 4DX theaters, adding one more 4DX theater in Sano to the first site 109 Cinemas Tomiya and the second site 109 Cinemas Osaka Expo. With new sites opening, US Cinemas becomes the first exhibitor to operate a 4DX screen at every one of its locations, adding two sites that opened in December in Tsukuba and Inashiki. Korona World Cinema rolled out the new 4DX site in Kanazawa currently operates eight 4DX sites, including seven existing 4DX locations.
CJ 4DPlex www.cj4dx.com