Going to see James Gunn’s Superman was my first chance to try an all-new theater-watching experience. It’s no secret that Hollywood is determined to keep movie theaters alive, which means adding all kinds of conveniences and upgrades to the viewing experience. However, I’d yet to experience “D-Box” seating until this last weekend with the first live-action DCU film.

Two of the biggest movie viewing upgrades most widely available are 3D and IMAX. However, there have also been pushes to improve the seating experience with luxury loungers, recliners, and even the ability to order your concessions right to your seat if desired. However, “D-Box” theater seating was brand-new for me, and I think I made the right choice by seeing James Gunn’s Superman for my first time trying it out.

My Local Cinemark Now Has D-Box Screenings: What Are They?

A Brand-New Immersive Seating Option

Thanks to a mᴀssive new expansion in partnership with Cinemark, my local theater now offers various screenings with “D-Box” seating. Created by D-Box Technologies, several theaters across the country now have special “D-Box” seats which utilize haptic feedback, adding vibrations and movement synchronized with select movies. This means that when a scene features lots of movement or action, the experience is meant to be more immersive as viewers themselves move in the same direction.

With the vibrations, viewers can “feel” various impacts, like punches or explosions. Each seat also comes with personal settings to change the degree of intensity (as well as seat-warmers). While the “D-Box” seats are not unlike 4DX screenings, the added immersion comes solely from the movement and vibration of the seat, rather than the additions of smoke, water, wind, additional lighting, etc. (making D-Box seats comparatively cheaper).

My First D-Box Screening Was James Gunn’s Superman

…And It Was So Much FUN

Seeing how they were brand-new and being offered for James Gunn’s Superman, it felt like the perfect opportunity to give D-Box seating a sH๏τ. While 3D options were also offered with D-Box seating, my family and I opted to go with a standard showing. Because the movie opens with Superman landing at his Fortress of Solitude before flying back into battle in Metropolis, we were able to get a feel for the new seats right away.

Overall, I do feel as though my second Superman viewing experience was improved with D-Box seating. Having seen Superman first in IMAX with normal seats, it was nice to have two recent viewings with which to compare. Likewise, a movie like Superman where DC’s resident Kryptonian is soaring at high speeds across the globe and throwing punches as one of the DCU’s strongest heroes certainly lends itself well to the D-Box viewing experience.

Like Superman, D-Box Is Best With Action Movies

Though It’s Nice To Have Breaks In Between

With James Gunn’s Superman in particular, the movie certainly felt more immersive in an impressively tactile way I really appreciated. It wasn’t distracting by any means, and not nearly as intense as some might fear. Don’t worry, your showing with D-Box won’t be so extreme that it becomes like a theme park screen-ride (like Disneyland Star Tours).

Thanks to the D-Box seats, I could feel every punch thrown by the Man of Steel. However, my D-Box seat moving in the same direction as Superman’s flight was definitely my favorite part of the new seating experience. That said, all the D-Box movement and vibrations are limited to the aforementioned action scenes, so it was nice to have some breaks in-between during the calmer moments with more dialogue.

All in all, I would definitely recommend D-Box for superhero movies and other high-action blockbusters, and I’m glad Superman was my first time trying it out.

James Gunn’s Superman is now playing in theaters from DC Studios.