If you have been reading me for a while, you know I love going to the movies. And this summer, I have discovered 4D cinema in Barcelona.

I have attended various cinematic events in the city. Among them the annual fiestas del cine, the Phenomena experience, and the open-air movies at the beach or the Montjuic Castle.

A 4D movie is a good plan for Barcelona’s upcoming colder months.

Wondering what to expect and experiencing 4D cinema

My friends organised a 4D movie night during the summer to watch Maverick. I did not know that there were 4D movies at this stage. I also did not know the ’80s movie Top Gun had a sequel.

Every time I learn about something new, I recognise that I am lucky to have friends who are so active and interested in doing various activities.

Of course, I joined. I am always up for adventures and discoveries. My friends asked me to bring warm clothes because it can be cold. I am wondering what to expect.

Dinner at a shopping mall

This is the first dinner at a shopping mall I have had before going to the cinema since my university days. It is nice to relive some of this time’s experience.

We choose a fast food chain. The food is ok. The most important is to spend time together and enjoy ourselves. Then we head to the movie. We booked our tickets in advance online to be sure to get seats.

When I go to the movies, I always eat popcorn. It feels to me that the experience is not complete without munching on the crunchy puffed cereal.  Do you also have a movie ritual?

Should I get a drink? I might spill it. I don’t as a precaution.

A 4D experience

The beginning

We hand our virtual cinema tickets. Everything happens online these days. We paid 15.90 Euros each. It is a bit higher than a “normal” cinema ticket, but this is also a different cinema experience. The ticket checker scans them. We expect some kind of glasses like in a 3D cinema. But nothing. Ok.

Our seats are comfortable and quite big. I munch on my popcorn. The ads start, and our seats shake following the movements on the screen. We laugh out of surprise.

Motion seats, wind effects and water splashes

Then the movie starts. Tom Cruise is older but he is still handsome. I am not sure I would have enjoyed the film that much without the 4D multi-sensory experience. Tom Cruise is in it, yes. But at the end of the day, it is one action movie.

With the 4D, a lot of the actions are enhanced. Jennifer Connelly and Tom Cruise go on a romantic excursion. He manoeuvers the boat they are on, and the spectators receive water splashes. The seats oscillate and accompany the camera’s motions. The movements are even more noticeable when the main protagonists pilot the planes. I feel the wind effects and hot air blows. It is cool!

I loved watching 4D cinema in Barcelona

I loved the movie experience with all the different effects. My friends also did. Some spectators applauded at the end of it. Everybody left happy. For your information, Maverick is still on at Cines Filmax Gran Vía.

And I did not feel sick or dizzy when the movie finished. I could eat my popcorn without problems. One tip: my box was half full by the start of the film so nothing overspilled during the screening. And you can have a drink. The seats were also motionless for a while.

I will come back to 4D cinema in Barcelona again!

Practical information

Cines Filmax Gran Vía – Avinguda de la Granvia de l’Hospitalet, 75 – L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona

The cinema is easily accessible by public transportation. You can also use the parking lot of the shopping centre.