Secret Cinema Immerses Itself into Disney Films

Secret Cinema has signed a deal to bring classic Disney films to life through immersive movie-based experiences.

Secret Cinema will work closely with Disney's StudioLAB to develop immersive experiences inspired by classic works from the House of Mouse's vault. StudioLAB is Disney's tech-focused division that designs and prototypes entertainment experiences and production capabilities for the studio's various initiatives. 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the first experiential show from the partnership will premiere in London later this year. Secret Cinema will then expand the program internationally with events planned to debut in Los Angeles, Calif. and New York, NY. Additional global events may also be added beyond the initial run.

The Disney films that will get the Secret Cinema treatment are yet to be revealed. Secret Cinema previously adapted the Disney-owned IP "Star Wars" in 2015 as part of another deal. The immersive-entertainment deal has also licensed other popular film IP including "Blade Runner," "Moulin Rouge!" and "28 Days Later."

"Working with The Walt Disney Studios is much more than access to a treasure trove of titles, it's about bringing together a unique combination of skills and expertise to build ever more authentic and amazing experiences, raising the bar again for what we mean by 'immersive cinema,'" says Max Alexander, chief executive officer, Secret Cinema.

Immersive entertainment is a growing sector in licensing. Along with Secret Cinema's projects, other popular offerings in the field include licensed escape rooms and virtual reality experiences.