Barco Sets ‘Superman,’ ‘F1’ and Other Blockbusters for HDR Release Slate

Barco, a cinema projection company, has set “Superman,” “F1,” “28 Years Later,” “Wicked: For Good” and other titles for release in HDR format this year.

The Belgian manufacturer’s “HDR by Barco” slate is a list of major releases that will be shown in Barco’s HDR Lightsteering projection technology. The 2025 slate also includes the upcoming “Jurassic World Rebirth,” “Smurfs,” “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” “The Bad Guys 2,” “Sketch,” “Caught Stealing,” “The Long Walk” and “The Smashing Machine.” “How to Train Your Dragon” is currently playing in HDR.

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Barco is also expanding the reach of its HDR format through partnerships with exhibitors and will have more than 30 HDR locations by the end of the year. Regal Cinemas has committed to establishing 20 RPX screens in the U.S. by the end of this year, and Alamo Drafthouse is also scheduled to add several HDR screens. Austin’s Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline is currently showing “How to Train Your Dragon” in Barco’s format.

Additionally, the company will unveil a new “HDR by Barco” venue in July at the Glen Glenn Film Center in Los Angeles. Barco first introduced its “HDR by Barco” format to audience members last year through an exhibition series.

“HDR allows filmmakers to expand their pallets,” Tom Bert, Barco’s previous director of cinema technology, told Variety last year. “Filmmakers can use these punchier highlights and more nuanced and detailed blacks as a storytelling tool to shock or startle their audience. If you can bring more depth to the image, you can better impart emotions. Audiences can have a more immersive experiences, filmmakers can have their work presented in the best light possible, and if we can deliver that in a scalable and affordable way then it’s win-win across the board.”

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