Samsung is looking to revolutionize the movie theater experience by replacing traditional projectors with its cutting-edge Onyx Cinema LED screens.
Introduced at CinemaCon—the world’s largest convention for theater owners—this new display technology offers a bold alternative to projector-based setups.
The Onyx Cinema LED screens come in multiple sizes to suit various theater formats, ranging from 5 meters to a massive 20 meters (16ft to 66ft). These modular displays are assembled from multiple panels and can be scaled to match the needs of any auditorium. One showcased panel, measuring 10 meters across, is equivalent to an enormous 455-inch TV.
One of the standout features of the Onyx system is its brightness. With a peak of 300 nits (86.7 foot-lamberts), the screen is six times brighter than standard cinema projectors, which typically output just 48 nits (14 foot-lamberts). The screens also support 4K resolution at up to 120Hz and offer smoother, flicker-free visuals for 3D movies—an area where traditional projectors often struggle.
During CinemaCon, attendees viewed several films on the Onyx screen, including Pixar’s Inside Out 2 and the upcoming Elio (2025). Cynthia Lusk, Director of Creative Film Services at Pixar, praised the display’s vivid colors and fine detail, noting it revealed elements of characters that had never been seen so clearly on standard screens.
Samsung has already partnered with LVL 11 Entertainment to install the Onyx system at a new theater in Mesa, Arizona, set to open this fall. Beyond the main screens, Samsung also offers supporting display technology, including e-paper signage, digital kiosks, and menu boards for use throughout theater complexes.
For audio, the Onyx screens come equipped with Harman’s JBL surround sound—an expected pairing since Samsung owns Harman. However, the system is also compatible with Dolby Atmos, Meyer Sound, QSC, and custom-designed audio setups.
With Onyx Cinema LED screens, Samsung is aiming to redefine the future of movie theaters—offering a brighter, sharper, and more immersive experience without the need for traditional projectors.