Twisters became a hit in 4DX theaters and this entire week it has been 100% sold out in Regal Cinemas Times Square: the world’s largest 4DX auditorium.
Although I don’t frequently blog about films, I occasionally like to highlight standout movies that either move me emotionally, feature stories about travel and adventure, or incorporate unique viewing experiences. Twisters in 4DX checks all the boxes. β
A reporter from The Washingtonian said it best when they described it like this: “Imagine you’re watching a movie in a massage chair at a nail salon, but the salon is aboard an airplane that’s experiencing moderate-to-severe turbulence. Also, there’s parlor tricks: puffs of fog, a spritz of rain, strobing lights, a burst of scent.”
This is an excellent description of what viewing a film in 4DX is all about. For me, the closest thing it reminded me of was 4D attractions like It’s Tough to be a Bug! at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park or even the now-retired Shrek 4D attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood.
The main difference is that this isn’t a quick theme park ride, you’re watching a full-length 122-minute feature film!
After my friend sent me this ridiculous Instagram Reel hilariously contrasting the intense tornadic scene in 4DX against the melody of the Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride from Lilo & Stitch, I was sold. I needed to watch it the very next day. Thankfully, I got in early before everything sold out!
I traveled to Regal Cinemas Times Square where I paid $30.14 to watch it in an “immersive” theater.
I had never been to Regal Cinemas Times Square before and I couldn’t believe how convenient the location was. It’s literally positioned right across the street from Port Authority. For all my New York and New Jersey friends, it couldn’t be any easier to get to.
After watching this movie, I can confidently say that 4DX is the only way anyone should consume this ridiculous film. I say ridiculous not because it sucked- on the contrary, I’d jump at the chance to watch it a second time had it not gone viral and fully sold out in Times Square! I just didn’t realize this movie was going to be a comedy!
You can’t help but laugh when your seat is tossing you and everyone else around and you’re being blasted with fog and tornadic winds and rain.
As I settled into my 4DX seat, I felt a mixture of excitement and curiosity. 24 hours before I was at the movie theater, I had never even heard of “4DX” or “Twisters” and now, there I was, ready to watch this crazy adventure film in the heart of New York City!
As a new member of Regal Cinemas, I was given a free small popcorn for joining their mailing list. At the register, I had the option to upgrade to a large popcorn for $1.00. When faced with the decision, it was a no brainer. I’d surely need extra popcorn to make up for the ones I’d lose to the tornados.
I headed to my theater with a full bucket of buttered popcorn fully aware that 95% of my popcorn would probably land on the floor or on the laps of my fellow movie viewers during the movie. I chose to take the chance and try my luck. The girl to the right of me decided to bring a burrito to the movie and I’m pretty sure it went flying at some point.
Hearing about 4DX and experiencing it firsthand was something inexplicably fantastic. I can’t stress how WORTH IT it is.
4DX is a technology originally from South Korea and, as of the time of writing this post, it can be found in up to 800 theaters worldwide. Thanks to companies like CJ 4DPlex who have worked to improve the experience by incorporating sights, sounds, scents, and more into the movie, we can enjoy Twisters in the most immersive sensory viewing experience currently possible.
I’m sure the creators were thrilled when they got wind of a new movie called Twisters being produced. With its extreme weather theme, there cannot be a more perfect movie for 4DX.
I truly believe this is why Twisters has gone completely viral on social media since its release.
The seats are larger and more comfortable than typical theater seats, and I appreciated that they had footrests to make you somehow feel a little more secure during the intense scenes. Before the movie started, I was amused to discover even the trailers took advantage of 4DX. I got a chuckle out of the preview where everyone “dances” in unison, forced movements orchestrated by the motion of the seats. πΊπ»
The movie itself has received a bit of criticism but I honestly appreciated the lighthearted comedy in contrast with the intense 4DX movements, hollywood “science”, character development and romantic interests, and thrilling disaster scenes.
At the end of the movie, I think Twisters staging a final scene of the movie WITHIN a movie theater was both brilliant and hilarious because it ultimately resulted in them already having marketing materials like this to share… which let’s be honest, couldn’t be more perfect. π€£
The popular viewing experience has completely sold out leading to a lot of frustrated discussions about the movie selling out and even a new petition begging the movie theaters to bring back Twisters. (I signed it!) βπΌ
An article on Screenrant talks about the author’s experience: “I’m Bummed I Missed Twisters In 4DX & Hope It Returns Soon.” Cooper Hood says, “Unfortunately for me and anyone else still wanting to see Twisters in 4DX, the chance to see it like that has already passed, for now. There are a limited number of 4DX screens and theaters in the world, and they operate like IMAX, where one movie typically has an exclusive right to play in those theaters at any given time. Twisters had a one-week exclusive window for all 4DX screens. The reason for the shorter window is that Deadpool & Wolverine has now taken over all 4DX theaters.”
I remain hopeful that Twisters will see some type of extension or return to the big screen in 4DX. After all, money talks! πΈ So many people STILL want to see it. Heck, I rarely rewatch movies but I’m dying to go back!
Twisters record-breaking 4DX box office results gives me hope it will return.
I think my favorite aspect of the movie was the heightened communal experience. I can almost guarantee if you manage to get a ticket to a Times Square theater time slot, your theater will be fully packed. There were so many scenes followed by a loud applause or gasp, including after a tragic scene. My eyes even teared up seeing everyone clap when the movie ended purely because it’s so rare nowadays to see everyone appreciate something so beautifully orchestrated and emotionally intense in a world drowned by politics, conflict, war, and so on. It’s simple moments like those that remind me of the joy in a shared human experience.
Have you seen Twisters in 4DX? What did you think of the experience? πͺοΈ