Cinesa, the cinema chain integrated into ODEON Cinemas Group, will expand its offering of IMAX theaters in Spain with two new openings before the end of the year. The company will inaugurate a theater at Cinesa Parc Vallès, in Terrassa (Barcelona), in November, and another at Cinesa Méndez Álvaro, in the city of Madrid, in December.
The move comes at a time when the demand for premium cinematic experiences continues to grow. Public interest in large-format cinema has skyrocketed, especially following the release this summer of Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan, which reignited the conversation around films designed specifically for IMAX screens.
Six IMAX Theaters in Spain
With these two additions, Cinesa will have a total of six IMAX theaters across the country. Until now, the company offered this format at Cinesa Parquesur and Cinesa Las Rozas Heron City, in Madrid; Cinesa Diagonal Mar, in Barcelona; and Cinesa Mallorca Fashion Outlet.
The new theater at Cinesa Méndez Álvaro has added value: it will be the first and only IMAX theater located within the city of Madrid, as the existing ones are located in municipalities within the metropolitan area. It will feature 145 reclining seats, 40 of which are premier category.
In Barcelona, the Cinesa Parc Vallès theater will have 172 reclining seats, including 44 premier seats. Both theaters will incorporate IMAX with Laser, the brand's most advanced technology.
What the IMAX Format Offers
The IMAX system is characterized by large screens, high-definition images that allow for more detail in every scene, and an immersive sound system with patented speakers distributed from the floor to the ceiling of the theater.
The laser technology variant, which will be installed in both the new theaters and the Parquesur renovation, incorporates a new-generation optical engine. This translates into higher resolution, deeper contrast, more intense colors, and precision sound with a greater dynamic range.
Comprehensive Renovation of Cinesa Parquesur
Parallel to these openings, Cinesa is carrying out a complete renovation of its complex in Parquesur. The plan includes the addition of premier seats and four VIP Beds in several of its seven affected theaters, in addition to upgrading its IMAX theater to the new standard with laser technology.
The renovation work, organized in three phases, began at the end of September and is scheduled to be completed by mid-March 2027, before Easter. According to the company, during the Christmas season, all 12 theaters in the complex will be operational, including the seven that will have already been renovated by that time.
Cinesa’s Commitment to Large Format
Ramon Biarnés, Managing Director for Southern Europe and Group Chief Retail Officer of Odeon Cinemas Group, explained that the company has detected a growing demand for premium experiences and for titles that the public wants to enjoy on a grand scale.
Biarnés directly linked this strategy to the impact recorded during the summer with the release of Oppenheimer, by Christopher Nolan, noting that the expansion aims to allow more viewers to access the IMAX experience with the highest image and sound quality for every major release.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the new Cinesa IMAX theaters open?
The Cinesa Parc Vallès theater in Terrassa will open in November, while the Cinesa Méndez Álvaro theater in Madrid will open in December.
How many IMAX theaters will Cinesa have in Spain after these openings?
The company will reach a total of six IMAX theaters, in addition to those already existing in Parquesur, Las Rozas Heron City, Diagonal Mar, and Mallorca Fashion Outlet.
What is special about the IMAX theater in Méndez Álvaro?
It will be the first and only IMAX theater located within the city of Madrid, as the rest of the theaters with this format in the region are located in nearby municipalities.
What changes does the Cinesa Parquesur renovation include?
The renovation, divided into three phases, will incorporate premier seats and four VIP Beds in several theaters, in addition to updating the existing IMAX theater with IMAX with Laser technology.
When will the Parquesur renovation be finished?
Work began at the end of September and is scheduled to be completed by mid-March 2027, before Easter.
Will the Parquesur theaters be closed during Christmas?
No. According to Cinesa, all 12 theaters in the complex will be operational during the Christmas season, including the seven already renovated by that point.
What is IMAX with Laser?
It is IMAX's most advanced technology, which uses a new optical engine to offer higher resolution, more contrast, more intense colors, and precision sound with a greater dynamic range.
