Barco's HDR Secures Star-Studded 2026 Film Slate, Expands Global Reach

LOS ANGELES, CA – December 19, 2025 – In a significant show of force within the premium cinema market, visualization technology leader Barco has unveiled a formidable slate of 13 major feature films scheduled for release in its high dynamic range (HDR) format during the first half of 2026. The announcement, which features tentpole releases from nearly every major Hollywood studio, coincides with the company's aggressive global expansion, signaling growing confidence from both creators and exhibitors in its next-generation projection technology.

The lineup represents a powerful vote of confidence from creative partners and distributors, ensuring that some of the most anticipated films of the year will be available in the immersive HDR by Barco format. This strategic alignment with top-tier content is crucial as Barco seeks to carve out a dominant position in the competitive premium large format (PLF) landscape.

A Glimpse into 2026: Star Power Meets Premium Tech

The initial 2026 release schedule is a testament to the technology's broad appeal, spanning a wide array of genres designed to attract every type of moviegoer. The collaboration includes powerhouse studios like Sony Pictures, Amazon MGM Studios, Warner Bros. Pictures, Paramount, Lionsgate, and DC Studios.

The year will kick off with high-octane action and horror, including Sony's 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple on January 16 and Paramount's highly anticipated Scream 7 on February 27. The slate also features major star vehicles, such as Amazon MGM's Mercy and Lionsgate's Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, set for release on January 23 and April 24, respectively.

Warner Bros. Pictures has committed heavily to the format with a diverse offering that includes Maggie Gyllenhaal's gothic horror The Bride! (March 6), Lee Cronin's take on The Mummy (April 17), the video game adaptation Mortal Kombat II (May 8), and the highly anticipated DC Studios film Supergirl (June 26). Amazon MGM Studios is also bringing two major summer titles to the format: the sci-fi epic Project Hail Mary (March 20) and the fantasy adventure Masters of the Universe (June 5).

Other notable releases include Sony's Goat and Warner Bros.' Wuthering Heights both on February 13, and Warner Bros.' Animal Friends on June 5. Barco has indicated that this is just the initial list, with more titles expected to be added throughout the coming year, further solidifying its content pipeline.

The Technology Behind the Spectacle: What is Lightsteering?

At the heart of Barco's premium offering is its patented 'Lightsteering' technology, a system designed to fundamentally rethink how light is used in a movie theater. Unlike traditional projectors that cast a uniform field of light across the entire screen, or even competing premium formats, Lightsteering intelligently redistributes light on a frame-by-frame basis. Powered by advanced algorithms running on high-performance GPUs, the projector directs light precisely where it's needed most—to the bright highlights—while simultaneously allowing for deeper, more detailed shadows.

The result is a visual experience with a dramatically expanded dynamic range. The company claims the technology can produce highlights over six times brighter than a standard cinema projector and blacks that are five times deeper. This translates to a staggering 60,000:1 simultaneous contrast ratio, which is 30 times higher than conventional systems. For audiences, this means incredibly vivid and lifelike images, where the glint of a sword, the sparkle of an eye, or the intensity of an explosion is rendered with breathtaking clarity without sacrificing detail in the darkest parts of the frame.

This performance puts HDR by Barco in direct competition with other established premium formats like Dolby Cinema and IMAX with Laser. While both competitors offer their own impressive laser-powered HDR solutions, Barco's system reportedly achieves a peak brightness of 300 nits, nearly three times the 108 nits of Dolby Cinema's projection system. This technical advantage, combined with a wide color gamut, provides filmmakers with a powerful tool for visual storytelling.

A Global Footprint: Barco's Strategic Expansion

Content is only one half of the equation; accessibility is the other. Barco is aggressively expanding its global network of HDR-equipped theaters, which now stands at 31 locations worldwide. While the U.S. market leads with 20 screens, including installations in Regal's RPX locations and at Alamo Drafthouse cinemas, the most recent push has been across Europe.

In November 2025, the technology debuted in Germany at several Cineplex sites and as the centerpiece of Cinedom Cologne's new 'CinedomX' premium experience. Just this month, the first HDR by Barco screen is set to open in The Netherlands at Vue Amsterdam. This follows a major pan-European deal announced in July 2025 with Vue International to integrate the technology into its 'EPIC' premium auditoriums.

This expansion into key European markets like the U.K., Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands is critical for establishing the format as a global standard. Beyond exhibition, Barco is also embedding its technology deeper into the production pipeline. A partnership with Prasad Film Labs has established the first HDR by Barco capable color grading facility in India, paving the way for international content, particularly from the prolific Indian film industry, to be released in the format.

The Filmmaker's New Canvas

The true test of any cinema technology is its adoption by the creative community. HDR by Barco has been met with significant enthusiasm from directors, cinematographers, and colorists who see it as a way to finally present their work as it was originally envisioned. The technology's ability to handle extreme brightness and deep shadow detail unlocks the full potential of modern digital cameras and visual effects, which often capture a wider range of light and color than traditional projectors can display.

Industry professionals have described the system as revolutionary, providing an unprecedented 'paint palette' for visual storytelling. For colorists, the technology offers a more accurate and impactful canvas. In some post-production workflows, the HDR by Barco version is now being used as the primary 'Hero Grade' from which all other versions are derived, a testament to its fidelity.

This creative empowerment, coupled with growing support from major studios and a rapidly expanding global footprint, creates a powerful feedback loop. As more filmmakers demand the format to realize their artistic vision, and more exhibitors install the technology to meet audience demand for premium experiences, HDR by Barco is positioning itself not just as another option, but as a potential new benchmark for the magic of the movies.