Phenomena Cinemas reopen with a fully upgraded ‘sensory’ experience

Barcelona's famed Phenomena Cinema is entering a new phase, offering audiences a more "sensory" cinematic experience, aiming to let viewers perceive films with the technical precision intended by their creators.

Phenomena Experience first opened on December 19, 2014. Last September, the theater closed for renovations and was simultaneously announced as the recipient of the Carlo Lizzani 2025 European Best Theater Award at the Venice Film Festival.

After more than six months of being closed for works, Phenomena will reopen to the public on April 2 with a complete technical and aesthetic overhaul. 

Updates include a new Dolby Atmos sound system, upgraded projector and screen, improved lighting, new seats, redesigned interiors, digital panels, and a new event space.

"The renovation is designed to enhance the sensory aspect of the cinema and bring the experience as close as possible to the way the directors intended," Phenomena manager Nacho Cerdà told the Catalan News Agency (ACN). 

He added that with the redesigned auditorium, enriched with references to a variety of iconic films, visitors can "forget their daily lives and immerse themselves fully in the story."

The improvements are significant, Cerdà said. While the 35mm projector remains, the digital projector has been upgraded to offer sharper resolution. 

The sound system now delivers more dynamic, evenly distributed sound across the auditorium. He explains that "it's essential that the audience experiences the film the way the director wanted."

Aesthetically, the theater retains its "grandiloquent cinema" style, reminiscent of the great cathedrals of New York movie palaces. Red velvet curtains, carpets, and dramatic lighting remain, while the box office and bar have been relocated.

"We've balanced classic elements with modern technology to create a space that invites relaxation while enhancing the cinematic experience," Cerdà added.

The renovations also prepare Phenomena for new audiences and events. The new Nexus area and entrance can host presentations, debates, award ceremonies, corporate events, and film premieres. The venue is equipped with microphones and an AI-controlled camera system for live broadcasts.

Reopening program

Regular screenings start on April 2, kicking off a reopening program designed to showcase the theater's upgrades.

The Hear This! program features eleven films with notable sound design, some in Dolby Atmos, including ‘The Dark Knight’, ‘Interstellar’, ‘La La Land’, ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’, ‘Blade Runner: The Final Cut’, and ‘Blade Runner 2049’, ‘Jurassic Park’, ‘The Matrix’, ‘Dunkirk’, and ‘Dune: Part Two’.

Top Phenomena revisits ten of the theater's most popular screenings, including ‘Jaws’, ‘Pulp Fiction’, ‘The Shining’, ‘2001: A Space Odyssey’, ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’, ‘Blue Velvet’, ‘In the Mood for Love’, ‘Call Me by Your Name’, ‘Akira’, 'and ‘The Thing’.

The Unforgettables spotlights four classics: ‘Psycho’, ‘Singin' in the Rain’, ‘The Wizard of Oz’, and ‘Manhattan’. 

Additional programming includes morning screenings of the first two Godfather films and the first three Indiana Jones films.