VOX Cinemas has completed a major upgrade at Yas Mall in Abu Dhabi with the launch of a next-generation IMAX with Laser auditorium, timed to coincide with the regional release of Avatar: Fire and Ash. The reopening marks a significant refresh of the venue and reflects the continued investment in premium cinema formats across the UAE capital.
At the centre of the refurbishment is the new IMAX auditorium, now featuring the largest screen at Yas Mall, measuring 23.2 metres wide and extending from floor to ceiling. The upgrade introduces IMAX with Laser 4K projection, designed to deliver brighter images, sharper detail, and improved colour accuracy compared to previous systems. Audio has also been overhauled with a 12-channel immersive sound configuration, incorporating ceiling, rear, and surround speakers to create a more enveloping listening environment.
Seating across the IMAX auditorium has been fully replaced with glider and recliner options, reflecting a broader shift in regional cinemas toward comfort-focused layouts. The result is a venue positioned to handle large-scale releases that are designed for premium formats, particularly effects-driven films such as Avatar: Fire and Ash, which was selected to anchor the reopening.
The Yas Mall launch further expands VOX Cinemas’ IMAX footprint in the Middle East and North Africa. The exhibitor now operates 15 IMAX locations across seven countries, accounting for more than 4,100 seats. This scale places VOX among the most active IMAX partners in the region, at a time when premium large-format screens continue to outperform standard auditoriums for tentpole releases.
Beyond the IMAX auditorium, the upgrade is part of a wider cinema-wide refurbishment at VOX Cinemas Yas Mall. Eleven standard screens have been converted to Premier auditoriums, introducing upgraded seating as the default experience. The existing MAX screen has also been updated with Premier seating, aligning it with the rest of the complex.
The refurbishment extends to VOX’s high-end THEATRE concept, which combines in-seat dining, personalised service, and leather recliners. As part of the renovation, the existing 4DX screen is being converted into an additional THEATRE auditorium, adding 36 premium seats. Public areas, including the foyer and concession spaces, have also been redesigned to match the upgraded screening environments.
From a technical standpoint, IMAX with Laser is positioned as a more energy-efficient system built for long-term use. Films shown in the auditorium are processed using IMAX’s proprietary DMR remastering process, which adapts sound and image quality specifically for the format.
With this relaunch, VOX Cinemas Yas Mall moves closer to a fully premium-led cinema model, reflecting changing audience expectations in Abu Dhabi and reinforcing the role of large-format and luxury screens in driving cinema attendance.
