The rapidly growing high-end cinema format of this technology company is already available in locations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, India, Italy, and the Netherlands.
Cottrex, Belgium, October 29, 2026 / PRNewswire / -- The global leader in laser cinema projection, Barco, today announced its plan to introduce its breakthrough high-end cinema format, HDR, for the first time in Belgium. The new cinemas will be located in Kinepolis Kortrijk, just a few steps away from the headquarters in Barco. With the continued rapid expansion of HDR, by, and Barco in the American and European markets, and the recent addition of three new sites in Germany, this news was also announced.
Construction has already begun, and the new cinema is expected to officially open on November 18th. HDR by Barco The company's debut in Belgium is highly anticipated, giving the local audience there the opportunity to experience one of the most notable innovations in the cinema industry.
This high-end format made its debut to audiences in the fall of 2024, and after its commercial launch at the beginning of 2025, it quickly spread across major film markets.
Barco Cinema, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Products, stated: "Bringing HDR, by, and Barco to Belgium, especially to Kortrijk, is of great significance to us. We developed this technology with the hope of elevating the cinema experience to a new level. HDR, by, and Barco are now reaching cinemas around the world. Being able to bring this experience to Belgian audiences together with Kinepolis is another milestone for us."
The upgraded theaters with Kinepolis will be equipped with HDR, by, and Barco high-end projection systems, immersive audio, and premium seats, providing audiences with a higher standard of viewing experience.
Kinepolis Group Project and Sound Leader N Token Issuance las Hamon states: "At Kinepolis, innovation has only one purpose: to provide customers with the best possible cinema experience. HDR by Barco This allows us to present more details, colors, and contrast on the screen, enabling us to better bring forth the creative vision of filmmakers and deliver an outstanding viewing experience."
Today's announcement is built on the long-term partnership between Barco and Kinepolis, a relationship that dates back to the beginning of Barco's entry into the digital cinema industry. Kinepolis has also been a pioneer in cinema laser projection technology, having utilized Barco technology to create its high-end brand Laser ULTRA as early as 2014. Now, the two companies are setting new standards for exceptional cinema quality once again in Belgium.
Barco Cinema Executive Vice President Gerwin Damberg said: " HDR by Barco were invented right here, so bringing them back to Cottrellick with Kinepolis is like completing a circle for us. Each HDR by Barco film is a specially crafted version, color-corrected by the original creative team and finally signed off on. You won't see this version on a regular cinema screen. Lightsteering technology can direct light precisely where the story needs it, without any additional power consumption: better pixels, not just more pixels. Cinema operators across Europe are reinvesting in high-end theaters, and that's exactly what makes high-end seats worth the money. There's nothing else between you and the movie."
Based on its patented Lightsteering technology, the HDR solution of Barco cinemas can achieve a highlight brightness more than 6 times higher than that of traditional projection methods, while retaining rich details in the dark areas. This results in greater depth, clarity, and dynamic range. HDR by Barco provides filmmakers with a broader creative space to present images with high contrast and a wide color gamut, attracting audiences.
For more information about HDR, by, and Barco, including locations, upcoming films, and screening times, please visit: www.HDRbyBarco.com
About Barco
Barco is headquartered in Kortrijk, Belgium, and is a global technology company focused on visualization, networking, and collaboration solutions. Its innovative technologies have driven the development of the healthcare, enterprise, and entertainment markets. The core of its success lies in more than 3,000 dedicated visioneers, who enthusiastically drive change through technology.
Barco is listed on the pan-European exchange ( BAR ), with a Reuters code of ( BARBt.BR ) and a Bloomberg code of ( BAR BB ). The company achieved sales of 964 million euros in 2025. For more information, please visit www.barco.com, or follow the company on LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook.
Barco. Light up a better tomorrow with “visioneering”. © 2026
About Kinepolis
Kinepolis Group NV is a leading international cinema operator with operations across Europe and North America, headquartered in Ghent, Belgium. Its high-end cinema brand portfolio includes Kinepolis in Europe, Landmark Cinemas in Canada, as well as MJR Theatres, Emagine, and Showcase Cinemas in the United States.
The company was established in 1997 and has been listed since 1998. Its cinema business can be traced back to the late 1960s, and it has grown to become a benchmark in the cinema projection industry. While continuously optimizing its operations, the group has always placed great emphasis on customer experience. In addition to its core projection business, Kinepolis is also engaged in film distribution, B2B events, screen advertising, and real estate management, forming a diversified and integrated business model.
Kinepolis operates 134 cinemas in Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Poland, Canada, and the United States, with a total of 1,474 screens and approximately 230,000 seats. With the support of over 5,000 employees, the group provides unforgettable entertainment experiences for millions of viewers each year. For more information, please visit www.kinepolis.com / corporate.
