List of Other Variable Aspect Ratio Movies (Not IMAX)

IMAX is neither the first nor the only film format to incorporate the concept of a variable aspect ratio. Filmmakers have toyed with the shape of their projected images at least as far back as Abel Gance’s 1927 silent epic Napoléon.

In a separate post, I maintain a list of movies that alternate from a widescreen 2.35:1 aspect ratio in some scenes to other shots with a taller height, as they appeared in IMAX theaters. The purpose of the list on this page is to document other films, unrelated to IMAX, that also change the shape of the displayed image from scene to scene, but perhaps in different ways.

This list will be updated as needed.

Notes

  • “CIH” = Constant Image Height.
  • This chart is best viewed on a computer monitor. At the very least, try turning your mobile device to landscape orientation.
TitleYear of ReleaseAspect Ratio Notes
(500) Days of Summer2009Primarily 2.35:1. Some scenes windowboxed to 1.20:1 or 1.50:1. Presented on Blu-ray in CIH form. Streaming copies in some international territories may not be CIH safe.
All Hallows’ Eve 22015Variable 2.35:1 (present day timeline)/16:9 (flashbacks). Not CIH safe.
An American Pickle2020Primarily 1.85:1. Opening scenes pillarboxed to 4:3.
Anon2018Variable 16:9/2.35:1 letterboxed in a 16:9 container.
Ant-Man2015Primarily 1.85:1. Post-credits teaser is letterboxed to 2.35:1.
Apollo 182011Variable 4:3/1.85:1 inside a 16:9 container. Some shots are mildly letterboxed, some are pillarboxed, and some have black bars on all sides.
Ash Is Purest White
(a.k.a. Jiang hu er nü)
2018Primarily 1.85:1. Opening scenes pillarboxed to 4:3.
The Assassin
(a.k.a. Ci ke Nie Yin Niang)
2015Primarily 1.37:1 pillarboxed inside a 1.85:1 container. One scene expands in width to 1.85:1.
Attack on Finland
(a.k.a. Omerta 6/12)
2021Primarily 2.35:1. Some scenes pillarboxed to 16:9. Presented in CIH form.
Bad Education
(a.k.a. La Mala educación)
2004Primarily 1.85:1. Some scenes letterboxed to 2.35:1.
Belle2021Primarily 2.35:1. Some scenes windowboxed to 16:9. CIH safe.
Biutiful2010Primarily 1.85:1. Some scenes letterboxed to 2.35:1.
Blonde2022Primarily a 1.85:1 movie with some scenes in other ratios including 4:3, 1.66:1, 16:9, and 2.35:1. Authored within a 16:9 container. 
Brainstorm1983Variable 1.66:1/2.35:1. “Real world” scenes are windowboxed within the 2.35:1 frame. “Brainstorm” sequences expand in width. Presented on Blu-ray in CIH form.
Brother Bear2003Primarily 2.35:1. Opening scene windowboxed to 1.85:1. Presented on Blu-ray in CIH form.
Captain America: The First Avenger2011Primarily 2.35:1. Post-credits teaser is windowboxed to 1.85:1 within the 2.35:1 frame.
Censor2021Movie opens at 2.35:1 but slowly reduces in width to windowboxed 4:3. Presented in CIH form.
A Christmas Story Christmas2022Primarily 2.00:1. One scene letterboxed to 2.35:1.
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs2009Primarily 2.35:1. Some cutaway shots windowboxed to 4:3 or 16:9. Presented on Blu-ray in CIH form.
The Command
(a.k.a. Kursk)
2018Primarily 2.35:1. Some scenes windowboxed to 1.66:1 within the frame. Presented in CIH form.
The Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course2002Variable 2.35:1/1.85:1. Presented on DVD in CIH form.
Cutie Honey2004Primarily 16:9. Some animated sequences letterboxed to 1.85:1.
Da 5 Bloods2020Variable 2.35:1 (present day timeline)/4:3 (flashbacks). Both are presented inside a 1.85:1 container with alternating letterbox or pillarbox bars. Not CIH safe.
Enchanted2007Primarily 2.35:1. Opening scene windowboxed to 1.85:1. Presented on Blu-ray in CIH form.
Evangelion 3.01+1.01: Thrice Upon a Time
(a.k.a. Shin Evangelion Gekijôban)
2021Primarily 2.35:1. Clips from earlier films in the opening recap are windowboxed 16:9. CIH safe.
Everything Everywhere All at Once2022Primarily a 1.85:1 movie with some some scenes letterboxed or pillarboxed to ratios including 4:3, 2.00:1, or 2.35:1. Not Constant Height safe.
Fantasia 20002000Primarily 1.85:1, except for “Sorcerer’s Apprentice” segment from Fantasia (1940) pillarboxed to 1.37:1. Main aspect ratio was opened to 1.66:1 in IMAX theaters during its theatrical run.
Fauci2021Primarily 2.35:1. Some scenes windowboxed to 4:3 or 16:9 within the frame. Presented in CIH form.
Finding ‘Ohana2021Primarily 1.85:1. Some scenes letterboxed to 2.35:1.
The French Dispatch2021Variable 4:3/1.66:1/1.85:1/2.35:1 inside a 1.85:1 container. Not CIH safe.
G-Force2009Primarily 2.35:1. The 3D version includes frame-breaking visual effects in the letterbox bars.
Galaxy Quest1999Primarily 2.35:1. Opening scene windowboxed to 4:3. Presented on Blu-ray in CIH form.

In its original theatrical release, the movie started as 4:3, then transitioned to 1.85:1 for the first 20 minutes, and finally expanded to 2.35:1. The Blu-ray skips the 1.85:1 step and opens the sides to 2.35:1 for all that footage.
The Grand Budapest Hotel2014Variable 1.37:1/1.85:1/2.35:1 inside a 1.85:1 container. Not CIH safe.
Gunbuster vs Diebuster: Aim for the Top! The GATTAI!! Movie2006A.K.A. Gunbuster: The Movie.
First half of movie (Gunbuster) is primarily 4:3, except for the climax scenes that expand in width to 16:9. Second half of movie (Diebuster) is fully 16:9.
High Life2018Primarily 1.66:1. Some scenes pillarboxed to 4:3, final scene letterboxed to 1.85:1.
Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul2022Movie regularly switches between 2.35:1 and pillarboxed 1.55:1 within a 16:9 container. Not CIH safe.
The Horse Whisperer1998Primarily 2.35:1. Opening scenes (first half hour) are windowboxed to 1.85:1. Presented on Blu-ray in CIH form.
In the Shadow of the Moon2007Documentary alternates from 16:9 for new interviews to 4:3 for vintage footage.
The Incredibles2004Primarily 2.35:1. Open scene pillarboxed to 4:3.
It Comes at Night2017Primarily 2.35:1. Some scenes letterboxed to 2.75:1 or 3.00:1.
JFK1991Primarily 2.35:1. Opening scene windowboxed to 4:3. Presented on Blu-ray in CIH form.
Jurassic World: Dominion2022Primarily 2.00:1. Prologue is 16:9 windowboxed within the 2.00:1 container. Some video inserts are 4:3.
Kill Bill: Vol. 22004Primarily 2.35:1. One scene windowboxed to 4:3. Presented in CIH form.
King Richard2021Primarily 2.35:1. One scene windowboxed to 16:9. Presented in CIH form.
Life of Pi2012Primarily 1.85:1. One scene letterboxed to 2.35:1 with frame-breaking visual effects in the letterbox bars.
Love & Pop1998Primarily 4:3 pillarboxed inside a 16:9 container. Some scenes expand in width to 1.85:1.
Lucy in the Sky2019Primarily 1.85:1. Some scenes pillarboxed to 4:3 and some letterboxed to 2.35:1, 5.00:1, and 8.00:1.
The Mitchells vs. the Machines2021Primarily 1.85:1. Some scenes pillarboxed to 4:3.
The Mystery of Picasso
(a.k.a. Le mystère Picasso)
1956Variable 1.37:1/2.35:1. Not CIH safe.
Napoléon 1927Primarily 1.37:1. The film’s “Polyvision” climax was originally presented in triptych form with three images projected side-by-side for a total ratio of 4.00:1. The Region B Blu-ray letterboxes this footage. Not CIH safe.
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Death + Rebirth
(a.k.a. Shin seiki Evangelion Gekijô-ban: Shito shinsei)
1997Primarily 1.85:1. Opening recap scenes pillarboxed to 4:3.
Pawn Sacrifice2014Primarily 2.35:1. Some scenes windowboxed to 1.85:1 within the frame. Presented in CIH form.
Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood2019Primarily 2.35:1. Some scenes windowboxed to 4:3 and 1.85:1 within the frame. Presented on Blu-ray and Ultra HD in CIH form.
Oz: The Great and Powerful2013Primarily 2.35:1. Opening scenes windowboxed to 4:3. Presented on Blu-ray in CIH form.
Penguins of Madagascar2014Primarily 1.85:1. Some scenes letterboxed to 2.35:1.
The Pillow Book1996Film was projected in theaters as variable 1.85:1/2.35:1 inside a 1.85:1 frame. All home video transfers to date have been open-matte and presented as pillarboxed 4:3/windowboxed 2.35:1 inside a 4:3 frame, within a greater 16:9 container.
Pixels2015Primarily 2.35:1. Some scenes shrink in height to a wider ratio with frame-breaking visual effects in the letterbox bars.
Pompo: The Cinéphile
(a.k.a. Eiga Daisuki Pompo-san)
2021Primarily 1.85:1. Some scenes letterboxed to 2.35:1.
Ritual (a.k.a. Shiki-Jitsu)2000Primarily 2.35:1. Some scenes pillarboxed to 4:3 or 16:9 within the 2.35:1 container in CIH form.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World2010Primarily 1.85:1. Some scenes letterboxed to 2.35:1.
Shin Godzilla
(a.k.a. Shin Gojira)
2016Primarily 2.35:1. Some scenes windowboxed to 4:3 and 1.85:1. Presented on Blu-ray in CIH form.
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For2014Primarily 1.85:1. Some scenes letterboxed to 2.35:1 with frame-breaking visual effects in the letterbox bars.
Sneakers1992Primarily 1.85:1. Opening scene pillarboxed to 4:3.
Space Jam: A New Legacy2021Primarily 1.85:1. Some scenes pillarboxed to 4:3 and some letterboxed to 2.35:1.
Spider-Man: Homecoming2017Primarily 2.35:1. Some scenes pillarboxed to 4:3 within the frame. Presented on Blu-ray and Ultra HD in CIH form.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse2018Primarily 2.35:1. Some scenes pillarboxed to 4:3 within the frame. Presented on Blu-ray and Ultra HD in CIH form.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles2014Primarily 2.35:1. Some scenes shrink in height to a wider ratio with frame-breaking visual effects in the letterbox bars.
The Thomas Crown Affair1968Primarily 1.85:1. Film has numerous split-screen effects involving images of various shapes windowboxed inside that frame.
tick,tick…BOOM!2021Primarily 2.35:1. Some scenes pillarboxed to 4:3 within the frame. Presented in CIH form.
Transformers: The Last Knight2017Variable 1.90:1/2.00:1/2.28:1/2.35:1 inside a 1.85:1 container. Not CIH safe.
The Triplets of Belleville2003Primarily 1.66:1. Opening scene pillarboxed to 1.37:1.
The True History of the Kelly Gang2019Film starts at 1.85:1 and gradually reduces in height to 2.35:1. Not CIH safe.
Unicorn Store2017Primarily 2.35:1. Opening scene windowboxed to 4:3 within the frame. Presented in CIH form.
Waves2019Primarily 1.85:1. Some scenes pillarboxed to 4:3 or letterboxed to 2.35:1, 2.67:1, and 3.00:1.
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story2022Primarily 2.35:1. Brief flashback scenes are pillarboxed to 4:3 within a taller 16:9 container. Not CIH safe.

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Log Out /  Change )

Twitter picture

You are commenting using your Twitter account. Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. Log Out /  Change )

Connecting to %s