VOX Cinemas has launched a next-generation IMAX auditorium at Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi, further strengthening its position as the leading IMAX exhibitor in the Middle East and reinforcing the region’s appetite for premium large-format cinema experiences.
The upgraded IMAX auditorium introduces IMAX with Laser technology, delivering ultra-bright, ultra-sharp visuals with enhanced colour and contrast. The new screen measures 23.2 metres wide and spans floor to ceiling, creating the largest viewing surface at Yas Mall. A 12-channel immersive sound system, including ceiling, rear, and surround speakers, places audiences at the centre of the action, while upgraded glider and recliner seating ensures a fully premium experience throughout the auditorium.
The Yas Mall launch forms part of a wider transformation of the cinema into a flagship entertainment destination. Alongside the IMAX upgrade, eleven standard screens have been converted to Premier, offering enhanced comfort and improved sightlines, while the existing MAX auditorium has also been upgraded with Premier seating.
The transformation also includes the expansion of THEATRE, VOX Cinemas’ flagship luxury concept that combines gourmet dining, personalised service, and reclining leather seating to create a first-class cinema environment. As part of the refurbishment, the existing 4DX auditorium will be fully remodelled into an additional THEATRE screen, adding 36 more premium seats. The upgrades extend beyond the auditoriums, with refreshed foyers, common areas, and Candy Bar ensuring every touchpoint delivers the same elevated standard and premium setting as the new IMAX experience.
VOX Cinemas now operates 15 IMAX locations across seven countries, offering over 4,100 IMAX seats region-wide. This footprint continues to grow, with IMAX also recently introduced at VOX Cinemas The Avenues in Kuwait, where IMAX screenings are now operational, extending premium large-format access to audiences in the market.
The Yas Mall IMAX launch aligns with the regional release of Avatar: Fire and Ash, giving audiences the opportunity to experience one of the most anticipated titles of the year at full cinematic scale.
Ignace Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Entertainment said: “IMAX at Yas Mall represents our continued ambition to offer our customers the best cinematic experience in the region. We are committed to bringing audiences closer to the stories they love through world-class technology and uncompromising comfort. As we unveil this upgraded IMAX auditorium, we look forward to welcoming guests to experience cinema at its most immersive with Avatar: Fire and Ash.”
John Schreiner, Senior Vice President of Theatre Development, EMEA at IMAX said: “We’re excited to continue our successful collaboration with VOX Cinemas, reopening our location at Yas Mall in the heart of Abu Dhabi in time for the hotly anticipated premiere of Avatar: Fire and Ash. Audiences across the city will now be able to experience the crystal-clear image and immersive sound of IMAX this winter, with a powerhouse slate of titles through the rest of the year and across 2026.”
Designed for long-term performance, IMAX with Laser reflects IMAX’s commitment to precision engineering and energy efficiency. Films shown in the upgraded auditorium undergo IMAX’s proprietary DMR process, ensuring each frame is remastered to deliver maximum clarity and impact in line with the filmmakers’ vision.
The Yas Mall upgrade underscores the continued evolution of cinema across the GCC, where premium formats play a central role in attracting audiences and delivering high-attention environments for brands and storytellers alike.
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Source: VOX Press Release
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