Director Ryan Coogler Breaks Down Each Aspect Ratio

Ryan Coogler has cemented himself as one of the best young filmmakers in Hollywood. His work on the Creed franchise, Black Panther franchise, and his indie Fruitvale Station have all been lauded by critics and have given us a taste of what he's capable of doing. Now, with his new movie, Sinners, we're going to get an original movie from Coogler, which has me pretty excited. Recently, he made a whole video about the aspect ratios and film formats that you could view Sinners in, and what sets them apart. I thought it was spectacular. Let's dive in. Ryan Coogler Break Down Film Formats I bought my IMAX tickets for Sinners as soon as they went on sale. I wanted to see the movie on the biggest and best screen possible. But there are lots of ways to see the movie—and any movie for that matter. In the video from Kodak, we learn Coogler's for film blossomed in film school. At first, he dives into some basic film formats. Super 8: The basic film format from a lot of old home movies. Super 16: Highlighting Super 16, which he used for his film Fruitvale Station. 35mm: A standard format for most Hollywood movies shot on film. The biggest takeaway here is that as film gets wider, from 8mm to 35mm, you not only get a better resolution, but you get the ability to play with the depth of field. On the side of each strip are perforations, or 'perfs'. Movies are shot at 24 frames per second. Sinners: A Large Format SpectacleCoogler shot Sinners entirely in 65mm large format, utilizing both Ultra Panavision 70 and IMAX film cameras. More resolution and a shallower depth of field. To do this, they used two different cameras: Ultra Panavision 70: used on movies like Ben Hur and The Hateful Eight. 5 perfs per frame. IMAX Film Cameras: They spin the film horizontally, using 15 perfs per frame.This also produced two different aspect ratios: 2.76:1 (Ultra Panavision) 1.43:1 (IMAX)This is the first time ever to see a film like this released with two different aspect ratios. Choose Your Viewing AdventureNow, when you head to the theater to buy your tickets, there are lots of ways to see the movie. Ultra Panavision (2.76:1): This will be the most common presentation. IMAX (1.90): Experience select scenes expanding vertically into a new aspect ratio. IMAX (1.43:1): See the film exactly as intended, with the full image revealed.Aside from all that, you're probably going to see the movie in DCP, which is a digital projection format. It maintains quality control and is basically an expensive hard drive that has a file of the image and the sound. Coogler says he really values the theatrical experience, so he made sure he and Warner Bros gave people the best ways to see the movie. 4DX: Feel the action with moving seats and environmental effects like water. ICE (Immersive Cinema Experience): Side panels display imagery, drawing you deeper into the film. Screen X: Enjoy an even wider view with expansive side screens. Dolby Cinema: Experience the film in HDR with incredibly deep blacks, perfect for enhancing the movie's horror elements. The IMAX DifferenceLike I said up top, I'm seeing the movie in IMAX. This movie was made in partnership with them, and one of the director;'s intended ways to see it. IMAX Digital: Presents both aspect ratios (2.76 and 1.43:1), heightening the impact of emotionally charged scenes. IMAX Film (15 perf / 70mm): The pinnacle experience, blending cutting-edge tech with traditional film. This rare format is available in only about 10 locations globally. The Rarest Cut: 70mm Film (5 perf projection)I will have to research where you can watch this, but knowing it's available is pretty wild. Apparently, it's at the Vista in LA, so I am going to have to make the trek there to see it. This presentation keeps the entire film in the 2.76:1 aspect ratio and is incredibly rare, showing in only five theaters across the United States.Summing It All UpTo see the movie in a special way, check out the IMAX website, where you can view all the formats and where to see them. Coogler hopes this breakdown helps audiences choose their preferred way to see Sinners. He stresses that the film was crafted for the magic of the cinema, offering a wide array of experiences for every moviegoer. I think he's an inspiration, and it's cool to have such a young director preserving film in Hollywood. It's really special. Experience Sinners only in theaters on April 18. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Apr 11, 2025 - 18:44

Director Ryan Coogler Breaks Down Each Aspect Ratio

Ryan Coogler has cemented himself as one of the best young filmmakers in Hollywood. His work on the Creed franchise, Black Panther franchise, and his indie Fruitvale Station have all been lauded by critics and have given us a taste of what he's capable of doing.

Now, with his new movie, Sinners, we're going to get an original movie from Coogler, which has me pretty excited.

Recently, he made a whole video about the aspect ratios and film formats that you could view Sinners in, and what sets them apart. I thought it was spectacular.

Let's dive in.

Ryan Coogler Break Down Film Formats

I bought my IMAX tickets for Sinners as soon as they went on sale. I wanted to see the movie on the biggest and best screen possible.

But there are lots of ways to see the movie—and any movie for that matter.

In the video from Kodak, we learn Coogler's for film blossomed in film school.

At first, he dives into some basic film formats.

Super 8: The basic film format from a lot of old home movies.
Super 16: Highlighting Super 16, which he used for his film Fruitvale Station.
35mm: A standard format for most Hollywood movies shot on film.

The biggest takeaway here is that as film gets wider, from 8mm to 35mm, you not only get a better resolution, but you get the ability to play with the depth of field.

On the side of each strip are perforations, or 'perfs'.

Movies are shot at 24 frames per second.

Sinners: A Large Format Spectacle

Coogler shot Sinners entirely in 65mm large format, utilizing both Ultra Panavision 70 and IMAX film cameras. More resolution and a shallower depth of field.

To do this, they used two different cameras:

Ultra Panavision 70: used on movies like Ben Hur and The Hateful Eight. 5 perfs per frame.
IMAX Film Cameras: They spin the film horizontally, using 15 perfs per frame.

This also produced two different aspect ratios:

2.76:1 (Ultra Panavision)
1.43:1 (IMAX)

This is the first time ever to see a film like this released with two different aspect ratios.

Choose Your Viewing Adventure

Now, when you head to the theater to buy your tickets, there are lots of ways to see the movie.

Ultra Panavision (2.76:1): This will be the most common presentation.
IMAX (1.90): Experience select scenes expanding vertically into a new aspect ratio.
IMAX (1.43:1): See the film exactly as intended, with the full image revealed.

Aside from all that, you're probably going to see the movie in DCP, which is a digital projection format. It maintains quality control and is basically an expensive hard drive that has a file of the image and the sound.

Coogler says he really values the theatrical experience, so he made sure he and Warner Bros gave people the best ways to see the movie.

4DX: Feel the action with moving seats and environmental effects like water.
ICE (Immersive Cinema Experience): Side panels display imagery, drawing you deeper into the film.
Screen X: Enjoy an even wider view with expansive side screens.
Dolby Cinema: Experience the film in HDR with incredibly deep blacks, perfect for enhancing the movie's horror elements.

The IMAX Difference

Like I said up top, I'm seeing the movie in IMAX. This movie was made in partnership with them, and one of the director;'s intended ways to see it.

IMAX Digital: Presents both aspect ratios (2.76 and 1.43:1), heightening the impact of emotionally charged scenes.
IMAX Film (15 perf / 70mm): The pinnacle experience, blending cutting-edge tech with traditional film. This rare format is available in only about 10 locations globally.

The Rarest Cut: 70mm Film (5 perf projection)

I will have to research where you can watch this, but knowing it's available is pretty wild. Apparently, it's at the Vista in LA, so I am going to have to make the trek there to see it.

This presentation keeps the entire film in the 2.76:1 aspect ratio and is incredibly rare, showing in only five theaters across the United States.

Summing It All Up

To see the movie in a special way, check out the IMAX website, where you can view all the formats and where to see them.

Coogler hopes this breakdown helps audiences choose their preferred way to see Sinners. He stresses that the film was crafted for the magic of the cinema, offering a wide array of experiences for every moviegoer.

I think he's an inspiration, and it's cool to have such a young director preserving film in Hollywood. It's really special.

Experience Sinners only in theaters on April 18.

Let me know what you think in the comments.