Cineplex and CJ 4DPLEX Announce Strategic Partnership and Canadian Expansion Plans

Companies Working Together to Open Up to 13 New 4DX Locations in Canada

New Location Opening in Calgary, Alberta

LOS ANGELES and TORONTO, Sept. 19, 2018 /CNW/ - Today CJ 4DPLEX, the world's leading cinema technology company, in partnership with Cineplex, a leading entertainment and media company, together announced a new agreement that will bring the 4DX experience to as many as 13 additional Cineplex locations across Canada over the coming years.  The companies opened Canada's first 4D auditorium at Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas and VIP in the heart of downtown Toronto, Ontario, in 2016, and its popularity with guests has prompted this new partnership and investment.

CJ 4DPLEX's 4D technology enhances the onscreen visuals of action-packed blockbusters, transcending the traditional cinema experience through special effects including motion-synchronized seats, wind, fog, rain, lightning, snow, bubble, vibration, and scents.  The result is one of the most immersive cinema format in the industry, drawing fans into the action on the big screen.

"We are incredibly proud of the success of 4DX in Toronto, which brought our technology to audiences in Canada for the first time," said Brandon Choi, CEO of CJ 4DPLEX America.  "We look forward to growing our footprint throughout major cities across the country as part of our continued progress as the fastest-growing premium cinema format in the industry."

"Cineplex was proud to be the first company in Canada to pilot the technology, but we are even prouder to be the first to invest in a national roll-out," said Ellis Jacob, President and CEO, Cineplex.  "As part of this new agreement, Scotiabank Theatre Chinook in Calgary, Alberta, will be the first location to begin construction with the new, state-of-the-art auditorium.  4DX is a truly immersive cinema experience and we know Calgarians, and all Canadians are really going to love it."

The opening of the 4DX auditorium at Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas and VIP marked the 300^th screen for the premium format. Since the launch of CJ 4DPLEX in 2009, the immersive theatre technology rapidly expanded around the globe averaging 100 screen openings a year at an average yearly growth rate of 70 per cent.  To date, 4DX is installed in 561 auditoriums, reaching 59 countries, and projected to reach 630 auditoriums by the end of the year.

While Cineplex and CJ 4DPLEX announced today that Calgary would be the next Canadian city to open a 4DX auditorium, the companies will work together to announce additional markets over the coming months.

About Cineplex
A leading entertainment and media company, Cineplex (TSX:CGX) is a top-tier Canadian brand that operates in the Film Entertainment and Content, Amusement and Leisure, and Media sectors. As Canada's largest and most innovative film exhibitor, Cineplex welcomes over 70 million guests annually through its circuit of 165 theatres across the country. Cineplex also operates successful businesses in digital commerce (CineplexStore.com), food service, alternative programming (Cineplex Events), cinema media (Cineplex Media), digital place-based media (Cineplex Digital Media), amusement solutions (Player One Amusement Group) and an online eSports platform for competitive and passionate gamers (WorldGaming.com). Additionally, Cineplex operates a location based entertainment business through Canada's newest destination for 'Eats & Entertainment' (The Rec Room), and will also be opening new complexes specially designed for teens and families (Playdium) as well as exciting new sports and entertainment venues across Canada (Topgolf). Cineplex is a joint venture partner in SCENE, Canada's largest entertainment loyalty program.

Proudly recognized as having one of the country's Most Admired Corporate Cultures, Cineplex employs approximately 13,000 people in its offices across Canada and the United States. To learn more visit Cineplex.com or download the Cineplex App.

About CJ 4DPLEX:
CJ 4DPLEX is the world's first 4D cinema company, headquartered in Seoul with international offices in Los Angeles and Beijing. The company created 4DX, the first and leading 4D cinema technology for feature films, providing moviegoers with an immersive cinematic experience that utilizes all five senses, allowing the audience to connect with movies through motion, vibration, water, wind, snow, lightning, scents, and other special effects that enhance the visuals on-screen. CJ 4DPLEX brings 4DX auditoriums to exhibition partners along with 4DX codes for both major Hollywood blockbusters and local titles. Each auditorium incorporates motion-based seating synchronized with more than 20 different effects and optimized by a team of skilled editors, maximizing the feeling of immersion within the movie, beyond the limits of audio and video. Since 2009, more than 550 Hollywood and local titles have been screened in 4DX. As of September 2018, more than 65,000 4DX seats operate in 552 auditoriums spanning 59 countries.

CJ 4DPLEX was named a Most Innovative Company of 2017 in Live Events by Fast Company, and its technology has been recognized with silver Edison Awards in the Media and Visual Communications-Entertainment category in 2015 and 2018. For more information, please visit www.cj4dplex.com.

SOURCE Cineplex