Last updated on 13 August 2026.
Watching a movie at the cinema is no longer just about buying a ticket and finding a good seat. We are now seeing more big movies released in India across multiple premium formats. This is your guide to finding the best movie theatre in your city.
First, Understand Aspect Ratios
I will try to keep things as simple as possible. However, every movie is different, so it is always a good idea to research the best format for that specific movie before booking your tickets.
An aspect ratio is the ratio of the movie’s width to its height.
- Scope (2.39:1): This is the aspect ratio for most regular screens in your local theatres. The technical term is called CinemaScope.
- Flat (1.85:1): Another aspect ratio used in movie theatres, taller than Scope, adding more image to the top and bottom. For example, Superman (2025) or Avengers (2012) are made in these dimensions. Flat aspect-ratio screens are much less common than Scope screens.
The choice of aspect ratio is usually a decision made by the director and cinematographer.
Here’s the difference between Scope and Flat:
In short, Scope is wider, and Flat is taller.
Remember this:
- A scope movie fits perfectly on a scope screen, but on a flat screen, you will see black bars on top and bottom.
- A Flat movie fits perfectly on a flat screen, but on a scope screen, you will see black bars on the left and right.
Then, there is the IMAX aspect ratio.
Most movies are now promoted for IMAX. When the movie is made for IMAX, it can be in two aspect ratios: 1.90:1 and 1.43:1. See the difference:
Unfortunately, the 1.43:1 version is only compatible with IMAX 70mm or IMAX GT Laser screens, but India has neither.
India has Digital IMAX screens.
Digital IMAX theatres are in a 1.90:1 aspect ratio, which is larger than Scope and almost the same as Flat:
You can learn about how to identify the aspect ratio of movies in the last section of this article.
Best Movie Screens for Each City
I created this database of the best movie screens in different cities of India using information shared by multiplex chains and Indian moviegoers on social media platforms. This also includes Flat screens.
Note: EPIQ and IMAX are basically Flat screens, so they are not highlighted separately.
Ahmedabad:
- PVR, Phoenix Palladium Mall, Thaltej – IMAX Laser
- PVR, Satyamev Emporio, Odhav – All screens (4K)
- Cinepolis, Kankubag Mall, Vastral – Screen 2 (4K, Curved)
Bengaluru
- AMB Cinemas, Kapali – Dolby Cinema (65 ft)
- PVR, Nexus, Koramangala – IMAX Laser (61 ft, 12ch audio)
- PVR, Vega City, Bannerghatta Road – IMAX (62 ft)
- PVR, VR Mall, Main Whitefield Road – IMAX (62 ft)
- Cinepolis, Nexus Shantiniketan Mall, Main Whitefield Road – IMAX
- INOX, Galleria Mall, Yelahanka – IMAX
- INOX, Mantri Square, Malleshwaram – IMAX
- Swagath Shankarnag, MG Road – Onyx (Flat)
- INOX, M5 ECity Mall, Electronic City – Onyx (Flat)
- INOX, M5 ECity Mall, Electronic City – BigPix
- PVR, Forum Mall, Kanakapura Road – PXL
- PVR, Orion Mall, Malleshwaram West – PXL
- PVR, Bhartiya Mall, Kannuru – PXL
- INOX, Megaplex Mall of Asia, Byataranyanapura – ScreenX
- Cinepolis, Lulu Mall, Rajajinagar – Macro XE
- AMB Cinemas, Kapali – Screen 1,2 (Flat)
- Sri Raghavendra Cinemas, Hoskote – Single Screen (Flat)
- Asian Mukta A2 Cinemas, MJR Square, Narapally – Screen 2,3 (Flat)
Chennai
- PVR Palazzo, Nexus Vijaya Mall, Vadapalani – IMAX Laser (70 ft, 12ch audio)
- INOX, Phoenix Market City, Velachery – IMAX (63 ft)
- Rakki Cinemas, Kelambakkam – EPIQ
- INOX, Marina Mall, Old Mahabalipuram Road – BigPix (82 ft)
- PVR, VR Mall, Anna Nagar – PXL
- Green Cinemas, Periyar Nagar – Screen 1 ‘PLF’ (Flat)
- Murugan Cinemas, Ambattur – Screen ‘Thirumurugan’ (Flat)
Coimbatore
- Broadway Cinemas, Indira Nagar – IMAX Laser (71 ft, 12ch audio)
- Broadway Cinemas, Indira Nagar – EPIQ (70 ft)
- KG Cinemas, Race Course – ANTARAA (Flat)
- PVR Brookefields Mall, Krishnaswamy Road – PXL
Delhi
- PVR, Priya IMAX, Vasant Vihar – IMAX Laser (69 ft, 12ch audio)
- PVR, Vegas Mall, Dwarka – IMAX (68 ft)
- PVR, Select Citywalk, Saket – IMAX
- INOX, Paras Cinema Building, Nehru Place – IMAX Laser
- INOX, Vishal, Rajouri Garden – IMAX Laser
- PVR, Cinemagic Unity One Elegante, NSP – PXL (Flat)
- Cinepolis, DLF Avenue, Saket – Onyx (Flat)
- INOX, Pacific Mall, Jasola – BigPix (60 ft)
- INOX, Pacific Mall, Jasola – ScreenX
- PVR, DLF Promenade, Vasant Kunj – ICE (Flat)
This doesn’t cover the full NCR. For that, check the Gurugram and Noida sections below.
Faridabad
- PVR, Pacific Mall, NIT Bus Stand – PXL
Gandhinagar
- INOX RWorld, Adalaj – Big Screen (56 ft, not well maintained)
Gurugram (Gurgaon):
- PVR, Ambience Mall – IMAX
- Miraj Maximum, Metropolis Mall – Maximum (86 ft)
- Cinepolis, Airia Mall – Macro XE (56 ft)
Hubbali:
- PVR, Inorbit Mall – PXL (Scope)
Hyderabad
- Allu Cinemas, Kokapet – Dolby Cinema (Flat, 75 ft)
- Prasads Multiplex – PCX (Flat, 99 ft)
- Prasads Multiplex – HDR by BARCO (Flat, 60 ft)
- AMB Cinemas, Gachibowli – HDR by BARCO (60 ft)
- AAA Cinemas, Ameerpet – EPIQ Luxon/LED Screen (Flat)
- ART Cinemas, Tattva Mall, Vanasthalipuram – EPIQ
- PVR, LakeShore Mall, Kukatpally – PXL (Flat)
- PVR, Inorbit Mall, Madhapur – PXL
- Cinepolis, TNR North City – MacroXE
- Devi 70mm, Chikkadpally – Single Screen (83 ft)
- Mythri Vimal Theatre, Balanagar – Single Screen (70 ft)
- Sree Ramulu 70mm, Moosapet – Single Screen (70ft)
- Aparna Cinemas, Shamshabad – Screen 2 (Flat)
- Aparna Cinemas, Shamshabad – Screen 5 (60 ft)
- Allu Cinemas, Kokapet – Screen 2,3,4 (Flat)
- AMB Cinemas, Gachibowli – Screen 2,3,6 (Flat)
Indore
- INOX, Phoenix Citadel Mall – BigPix (Flat)
Jaipur
- Rajmandir Cinema – Single Screen (73 ft)
Kochi
- PVR, Forum Mall, Maradu – PXL (Flat)
- Cinepolis, Centre Square Mall, Ernakulam – IMAX Laser
- PVR, Lulu Mall, Nethaji Nagar – Screen 2,3 (Flat)
Kolkata
- PVR, Mani Square Mall, EM Bypass – PXL (Flat, 85 ft)
- INOX, South City Mall, Jadavpur – IMAX
- INOX, Quest Mall, Ballygunge – ScreenX
Kozhikode
- Palaxi Cinemas, HiLITE Mall, Poovangal – EPIQ
Lucknow
- INOX, Phoenix Palassio Mall, Gomti Nagar Extension – IMAX (60ft)
- PVR, Lulu Mall – PXL
Madurai
- Radiance Cinema, Koodal Nagar – EPIQ
Mohali (Chandigarh Tricity)
- PVR, CP67 Mall, Sector 67 – PXL (Flat)
Mumbai
- Miraj Cinemas, Wadala – IMAX Laser (72 ft)
- INOX Skycity Oberoi Mall, Borivali East – IMAX Laser (69 ft)
- PVR ICON, Phoenix Palladium, Lower Parel – IMAX Laser (63 ft, 12ch audio)
- EROS INOX Cinema, Churchgate – IMAX Laser
- Maison INOX, Jio World Plaza, BKC – IMAX Laser
- Cinepolis, Nexus Seawoods, Navi Mumbai – IMAX
- INOX, R-City, Ghatkopar – IMAX
- INOX, Inorbit Mall, Malad – IMAX
- INOX, Inorbit Mall, Malad – Onyx (Flat)
- INOX, Inorbit Mall, Malad – ScreenX
- PVR, Oberoi Mall, Goregaon – PXL
- PVR, Phoenix Marketcity, Kurla – PXL
- Mukta A2 Cinemas: New Excelsior, Fort – Single Screen (87 ft)
- PVR ICON, Phoenix Palladium, Lower Parel – Screen 5,6 (Flat)
Noida:
- PVR, Logix City Centre, Sector 32 – IMAX (71 ft)
- PVR, Superplex Mall of India, Sector 18 – IMAX Laser
- PVR, Superplex Mall of India, Sector 18 – PXL
Panaji
- INOX: Old GMC, DB Road – BigPix (70ft)
Pune
- City Pride, Nyati Plaza, Kharadi – Dolby Cinema (Flat but 2.1:1 aspect ratio)
- INOX, Phoenix Mall of Millennium, Wakad – IMAX Laser
- Cinepolis, Nexus Westend Mall, Aundh – IMAX
- E-Square Cinemas, VJ Happiness Street – EPIQ
- PVR, Grand Highstreet, Hinjewadi – PXL (Flat)
Pollachi
- Sri Sakthi Cinemas, Pollachi – MegaPix (Flat, 57ft)
Rajapalayam
- Radiance Cinema, Sammanthapuram – EPIQ
Sullurpeta (Tirupati)
- V Celluloids V-EPIQ, PSR Nellore – EPIQ (100 ft)
Surat
- Rajhans Precia, Rundh-Vesu – IMAX Laser
- PVR, Rahul Raj Mall, Dumas Road – PXL
Thane
- Cinepolis, Lakeshore (Vivana Mall), Laxmi Nagar – IMAX
Thanjavur
- Vetri E Square, Vallam Quarry Road – EPIQ 1, EPIQ 2 (both screens 60+ ft)
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
- PVR, LULU Mall – IMAX (66 ft)
- Aries Plex SL Cinemas – Dolby Atmos (72 ft)
Tirupur:
- Broadway Cinemas, Valipalayam – HyperX (Flat, 58 ft)
- Broadway Cinemas, Valipalayam – VIVID (Flat, 57 ft)
Thrissur
- Palaxi Cinemas, HiLITE Mall, Kuttanellur – EPIQ
Trichy
- LA Cinema, Thiruverumbur – Dolby Cinema (61 ft)
- Megastar Cinemas, Tiruchirappalli – Single Screen (Flat, 60ft)
Vellore
- Galaxy Cinemas, Katpadi – GXL (Flat)
Vizag (Visakhapatnam)
- Sri Melody Theatre, Jagadamba Junction – Single Screen (Flat, 58 ft)
- AAA Cinemas, Kailasapuram – Screen 5 (57 ft)
I have cross-checked the information above with multiple independent sources.
Still, I cannot guarantee this information is 100% accurate. It may contain mistakes and outdated information. Cinema technology changes over time. A theatre may upgrade its projector and sound system, or change its premium branding.
If you notice anything that should be added, updated, or removed, please get in touch. Contact here:
- DM on Instagram
- Email at fulminofan@gmail.com
Your feedback will help keep this guide accurate for everyone looking for the best movie experience.
A special thanks to KDCloudy, Divyansh, Shrey Tyagi, TheatreBabu, Rahul R, Dev, and many other cinema fans who regularly share technical details and personal experiences online. Follow their accounts for regular updates.
Primary Sources:
- List of Flat Screens in India by Shrey Tyagi
- List of Premium Movie Screens in India by KDCloudy
All Premium Movie Formats in India
1) Dolby Cinema
This is different from Dolby Atmos or Dolby 7.1, as those refer specifically to the theatre’s sound system, rather than the overall cinema format. So, don’t confuse it with that.
Dolby Cinema is considered the most complete premium cinema format. It combines Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos for a complete experience. The company themselves carefully calibrated each cinema screen.
Dolby Vision uses a dual 4K laser projectors designed for exceptional contrast with deep black levels.
Dolby Atmos, on the other hand, is an object-based sound format, which is the latest industry standard.
Dolby Cinemas are available in various aspect ratios, including both Flat and Scope.
Dolby Cinema at Allu Cinemas in Hyderabad is the best premium format screen with a Flat screen and 75 ft width.
You can watch the full theatre review by KDCloudy:
2) IMAX Laser
IMAX with Laser uses a 4K laser projector, an enhanced sound system, and powerful bass for a more immersive experience.
All Digital IMAX screens (Both Laser and Xenon) in India are in a 1.90:1 aspect ratio, but the sizes can vary from 50 feet to more than 70 feet.
IMAX also uses its own DMR (Digital Remastering Process) to upgrade the movie’s video and audio for its auditorium.
IMAX projection also helps maintain image quality during 3D presentations.
The biggest IMAX in India is at Miraj Cinemas, Wadala, Mumbai with a 72 ft screen and Laser projection.
For North Indians, the best IMAX screen is at PVR Priya Vasant Vihar, Delhi. Watch the full review by Shrey Tyagi here:
3) IMAX
Regular IMAX screen is a bit of downgrade thena Laser.
Non-laser IMAX theatres use dual 2K xenon projectors.They generally produce lower brightness and lower contrast, but still looks great for a premium large-screen experience.
I will personally always prefer a 2K IMAX over a 4K normal screen, if the movie is specially formatted for IMAX.
4) Prasads PCX
Prasads PCX features one of the largest movie screens in India, about 99 feet wide and with an aspect ratio of 1.54:1.
Located in Hyderabad, PCX was once a true 1.43:1 giant IMAX but went underwent a complete renovation later, leaving the IMAX projector behind.
It was redesigned in 2022 with new dual Barco 4K laser projectors. while keeping its massive screen. Along with that, it features a Dolby Atmos sound system.
5) HDR by BARCO
HDR by BARCO is designed to improve picture quality through High Dynamic Range, or HDR.
Traditional digital cinema projectors often struggle to display very bright highlights while keeping dark areas detailed. Barco’s HDR 4K Laser projection aims to solve this by increasing the difference between the brightest and darkest parts of the image.
The result is better contrast, more visible detail, and improved color reproduction.
These are available in both scope and flat sizes.
6) EPIQ
EPIQ is India’s own premium large format, developed by Qube Cinemas. These screens are in a 1.89:1 aspect ratio, which can easily fit both IMAX and flat content.
Most EPIQ theatres feature a larger screen, around 50-70 ft) than a standard multiplex auditorium, 4K RGB laser laser projection and Dolby Atmos audio.
There is also Epiq Luxon, which is an advanced (but smaller) LED cinema, offering ultra-high brightness.
7) Onyx
Instead of projecting an image onto a white screen, Onyx uses a giant LED. This is basically a giant TV.
The biggest advantage is black levels. Since LEDs can turn completely off, black areas of the image remain black instead of appearing dark grey. This also improves contrast and makes bright objects stand out more clearly.
They are also in a flat aspect ratio to perfectly fit movies in Flat size.
Sharpness is another strength. Since there is no projected image, there is no possibility of slight focus variation across the screen.
However, Onyx screen sizes are generally smaller than IMAX auditoriums.
8) PXL and BIGPIX (and Marco XE)
PXL (by PVR) and BIGPIX (by INOX) are premium large format brands developed by India’s largest multiplex operator PVR-INOX. Marco XE is by Cinepolis.
However, there is no standard size or the same technology they follow. Instead, the basic idea is that you get better 4K projectors, the best sound systems, and a larger screen size than a normal one.
Since specifications vary between locations, one PXL auditorium may provide a noticeably better experience than another. The same applies to BIGPIX and Macro XE.
Some are also flat, but most of them are scope.
9) ScreenX
ScreenX auditoriums have 3 screens, one in the center and two on the sides. The side screens extends selected scenes onto the left and right walls of the auditorium, creating a panoramic 270-degree viewing experience.
However, not every scene uses the side walls.
Other than these, a few premium formats are intentionally missing from the main list because they focus more on motion or environmental effects than on improving picture quality or audio performance. This includes:
- 4DX: 4DX adds moving seats along with effects such as water spray, wind, fog, scents, vibration, lightning, and air blasts that match the action on screen.
- MX4D: MX4D is another motion-based cinema format. It combines moving seats with physical effects such as wind, water, scent, vibration, leg ticklers, air blasts, and seat impact to create a theme park-style experience.
- ICE: ICE, short for Immersive Cinema Experience, places LED side panels along the walls of the auditorium. They display ambient lighting that complements what is happening on the main screen.
How to Decide: Flat vs Scope?
Now, let’s talk about how movies are made for different sizes and which screen to choose.
1) Most movies are made in scope only.
You don’t need to worry about anything; every screen will only show the scope version.
2) Movies made in Flat only.
It’s better if you find a good Flat screen near you, as such a movie will fit on it perfectly, from top to bottom.
3) Then, there are some movies made for IMAX.
This includes big hollywood movies from franchises like Marvel or DC, and even some Indian movies are now made for IMAX.
In this case, the normal version is in scope, but only the IMAX screens present it in a 1.90:1 aspect ratio. That bigger frame is exclusive to IMAX.
These movies include many scenes (sometimes the whole movie) in the IMAX 1.90:1 aspect ratio.
4) Movies in Both Ratios: Flat and Scope
While The Odyssey is not the first movie to do it, it is definitely the most popular example I can share.
The Odyssey is made for IMAX, so the aspect ratio is 1.90:1 for IMAX and 2.39:1 for regular screens.
However, studios realized that many non-IMAX formats also have screens with taller Flat aspect ratios (remember Flat is almost the same size as IMAX).
So, they gave the movie to theatres in both scope and flat.
In such a case, scope screens play it in 2.39:1, IMAX plays it in 1.90:1, and Flat screens play it in 1.85:1.
So, even though you don’t have an IMAX near you, you can still watch the movie in full frame on a Flat screen.
This happened with Spider-Man: Brand New Day too.
Note: Even on a Flat screen, some theatres may mistakenly play the Scope version on it instead. This is usually an error by the local theatre. If this happens, you should contact the manager and ask him to play the Flat version.
Takeaways
Now you know which is the best movie screen in your city and what different premium formats are present around you.
Pick the screen and format that best suits the movie you are watching, whether that means the biggest screen or the best projectors in the right aspect ratio.
And if you don’t know who I am? I am Ranish Chauhan, a.k.a. Fulmino Fan, and I love Marvel & DC Superheroes and Sci-Fi movies. You can also check my YouTube channel.