Movies - EPIC by Vue Reaches 400,000 Moviegoers and 15 Screens Ahead of First Anniversary

By Mulder, 22 june 2026

Less than a year after launching their ambitious premium large-format concept, Vue Entertainment and Barco are celebrating a series of impressive milestones for EPIC by Vue, a cinema experience designed to push the boundaries of image and sound quality. The format has now surpassed 400,000 admissions across Europe while expanding to 15 screens in 14 locations, a remarkable achievement that highlights audiences' growing appetite for premium theatrical experiences at a time when cinemas continue to compete with increasingly sophisticated home entertainment systems. As the first anniversary of EPIC by Vue approaches, the two companies are using the occasion to reflect on the rapid growth of the format and unveil a new behind-the-scenes film exploring the creation of the EPIC brand campaign.

First introduced at Vue Nottingham in 2025, EPIC by Vue was created with a simple but ambitious goal: to deliver one of the most immersive cinema experiences available anywhere in Europe. The concept combines Barco’s groundbreaking HDR by Barco laser projection technology with Dolby Atmos sound, bringing together enhanced brightness, deeper contrast, richer colors, and multidimensional audio capable of surrounding audiences with sound from every direction. Since its debut, the format has expanded across Vue’s European circuit, reaching major locations including Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Milan and Silea in Italy, and several prominent venues across the United Kingdom such as Bristol, Castleford, Islington, and Leicester Square. The speed of this rollout is notable in an industry where new exhibition technologies often require years to gain widespread adoption.

Perhaps even more impressive than the expansion itself is the audience response. Vue reports that EPIC by Vue has already exceeded 400,000 admissions and is generating repeat visits at twice the rate of other premium large-format offerings across its circuit. That statistic suggests the format is delivering more than just an initial technological novelty. In an era where moviegoers are increasingly selective about which films they choose to experience on the big screen, EPIC appears to be creating the kind of memorable event experience that encourages audiences to return. The strong performance also reinforces a growing trend within the exhibition industry: while casual moviegoing may fluctuate, audiences remain willing to pay for premium experiences that offer a noticeable upgrade over home viewing.

According to Tim Richards, Founder and CEO of Vue, the success of EPIC validates the company’s long-standing belief that investment in cutting-edge cinema technology directly benefits both audiences and exhibitors. He explained that the objective was to create the best possible way to watch a movie on the big screen, combining scale, image quality, and immersive sound into a single premium experience. For Vue, which operates 225 sites and more than 2,000 screens across eight countries and remains the largest privately owned cinema operator in Europe as well as the leading exhibitor in both the United Kingdom and Italy, EPIC represents a major part of its long-term innovation strategy.

For Gerwin Damberg, Executive Vice President of Barco Cinema, the appeal of EPIC lies not in showcasing technology for its own sake but in making technology effectively disappear. His vision echoes a philosophy increasingly embraced by filmmakers and cinematographers: the best cinema technology is the technology audiences do not notice because it allows them to become completely immersed in the story. By enhancing image fidelity and sound reproduction while remaining invisible to the viewer, HDR by Barco and Dolby Atmos work together to remove barriers between filmmakers’ creative intent and audience engagement. The result, according to Barco, is a cinema experience where viewers stop thinking about the projection system and simply become absorbed in the film itself.

To celebrate these milestones, Vue and Barco have released a special behind-the-scenes feature showcasing the making of the EPIC brand sizzle video. Produced by 1983 Creative, the film offers an inside look at how the companies developed the visual identity of the EPIC brand and sought to capture the emotional impact of the experience. It provides an interesting glimpse into the creative process behind marketing a premium cinema format, particularly one whose biggest strengths can only truly be appreciated inside a theater.

Looking ahead, the companies have no intention of slowing down. Vue plans to expand the format significantly over the next few years, with more than 60 EPIC screens expected to be operational across its European estate by the end of 2028. The ambitious rollout demonstrates confidence not only in the EPIC concept but also in the broader future of theatrical exhibition. As cinema operators continue searching for ways to differentiate themselves from streaming platforms and home entertainment systems, premium formats such as EPIC are increasingly becoming central to the industry's strategy.

The success of EPIC by Vue arrives at a particularly important moment for the cinema business. Across the industry, exhibitors are investing heavily in technologies that enhance immersion and create experiences audiences simply cannot replicate at home. The rapid growth of EPIC, combined with its strong repeat visitation rates, suggests that moviegoers continue to value the communal magic of the big screen when paired with meaningful technological innovation. With 400,000 admissions already recorded and dozens of additional screens planned, EPIC by Vue appears well positioned to become one of the most significant premium cinema brands in Europe over the coming years.

(Source : press release)