Posters for the films “F1: The Movie” and “Jurassic World: New Beginning” (Image courtesy of CJ CGV).
SEOUL, July 16 (Korea Bizwire) — As temperatures in South Korea soar past 36 degrees Celsius, air-conditioned cinemas are becoming urban sanctuaries — and 4D screenings are emerging as a favorite form of escape.
Blockbuster releases like F1: The Movie and Jurassic World: New Beginning are drawing crowds eager for immersive experiences that offer more than just visual thrills.
According to CGV, one of the country’s major cinema chains, F1: The Movie posted an 87% seat occupancy rate in its 4DX theaters over the weekend of July 5–6. This marks the highest rate for any 4DX title in the post-pandemic era, narrowly trailing the 95% occupancy seen by Avatar: The Way of Water in 2022.
Jurassic World: New Beginning also performed strongly, recording a 77% seat occupancy in 4DX screenings during the same period. The film transports viewers back to the Mesozoic era with wind effects and oceanic scents, creating a multisensory illusion of time travel.
User reviews on the CGV app describe the experience as akin to “running from dinosaurs” or finding relief from the summer heat through sheer adrenaline.
CJ CGV Sangam Theater No. 7, known as a representative 4D cinema, features the ’4Dplex’ experience. (Photo courtesy of CJ CGV)
Meanwhile, F1: The Movie’s 4D effects — which simulate racing vibrations, wind rush, and g-force turns — have elicited comments from viewers claiming muscle soreness from gripping their imaginary steering wheels during the ride.
According to the Korea Box Office Information System, the number of 4D moviegoers rose significantly last month, with 249,325 ticket sales, up from 97,810 in March and 109,011 in April.
The data underscores how rising summer temperatures are driving more people to cinemas not only for air conditioning but for thrilling, immersive respite.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
