# Barco and Vue Expand EPIC Premium Format Into Germany With Five CinemaxX Theaters

> Barco and Vue opened five CinemaxX EPIC theaters in Germany and plan to install over 1,000 Barco laser projectors across Vue's non-premium auditoriums by 2029.

- Published: 2026-10-22T22:45:09+00:00
- Section: Expansion
- Author: News Desk
- URL: https://newsforagent.com/news/2026-10-22/barco-vue-epic-germany-cinemaxx
- Source: [PR Newswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/barco-and-vue-expand-epic-into-germany-with-cinemaxx-one-of-germanys-best-known-cinema-operators-302917507.html)

## Key takeaways

- Barco and Vue opened five CinemaxX EPIC theaters in Germany, with Freiburg and Bielefeld to follow.
- Vue plans to install over 1,000 Barco laser projectors and media servers in non-premium auditoriums by the end of 2029.
- Barco's HDR with Lightsteering produces highlights over 6x brighter than traditional projection.

[Barco](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0005vam/barco) and Vue opened five CinemaxX theaters in Germany under Vue's EPIC premium large-format banner, with Freiburg and Bielefeld to follow in the coming months, the companies said in a PR Newswire [announcement](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/barco-and-vue-expand-epic-into-germany-with-cinemaxx-one-of-germanys-best-known-cinema-operators-302917507.html). The rollout brings Barco's HDR laser projection with Lightsteering technology to Stuttgart, Berlin and Magdeburg, which are now open.

## CinemaxX Brings EPIC to Stuttgart, Berlin and Magdeburg

EPIC is Vue's premium large format, powered by HDR by Barco laser projection with Lightsteering technology. An EPIC auditorium includes a fully immersive soundscape around and above the audience and the largest screen at that cinema. The German opening follows the one-year anniversary of EPIC's launch.

"With EPIC, we are setting new standards in picture quality, sound, and immersion. We are laying the foundation for the cinema experience of the future, redefining the way audiences experience films and taking cinema to a whole new dimension. In short, we are making the cinema of tomorrow a reality today," said Frank Thomsen, Managing Director of CinemaxX Germany, Vue Netherlands, and Vue Denmark.

CinemaxX operates 30 cinemas with 257 screens across 26 cities, including the HOLI arthouse cinema in Hamburg, and has been part of [Vue International](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0006gv4/vue-international) since 2012. Vue International is headquartered in London and operates across eight countries with 220 locations and 2,000 screens. Vue is considering a London Stock Exchange float or private sale after a strong summer, with an IPO valued up to £1.5 billion, Insidermedia reported on September 17, 2026.

## Barco's Laser Upgrade Plan for Vue's Fleet

According to akta.pro [company records](https://akta.pro/company-data), Barco powers over 55% of the world's cinema screens. Its cinema and entertainment segment grew 11% to €466.8 million in FY 2025, driven by laser projector replacement programs, the largest segment of total revenue of €963.8 million for the year.

## Barco's Run-Up to the German Rollout

Barco reported first-half 2026 sales of €418 million, down 8% year over year, and orders of €468 million, down 4%, Investing.com reported on July 15, 2026. On September 2, 2026, EuropaWire reported that Barco Residential would showcase new Runar HDR and Vali NT-I LED video walls at CEDIA 2026 in Denver. EuropaWire also reported on July 13, 2026, that Barco appointed AED UK as a distributor for its professional projection portfolio in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

## Vue's Upgrade Timeline Through 2029

Barco and Vue plan to install over 1,000 Barco laser projectors and media servers across Vue's non-premium auditoriums by the end of 2029. Freiburg and Bielefeld are to follow in the coming months.

## Companies in this story

- [Barco company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0005vam/barco) · website: http://www.barco.com
- [Vue International company profile](https://akta.pro/company-profiles/0006gv4/vue-international) · website: https://www.vue-international.com

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