In a groundbreaking move that redefines in-car entertainment, Mercedes-Benz is partnering with Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) to bring IMAX Enhanced films to their vehicles through SPE’s RIDEVU service. The collaboration, announced at CES 2025, promises to transform idle time in cars into an immersive cinematic experience.
Starting in the summer of 2025, Mercedes-Benz owners with the latest MBUX Entertainment Package Plus and an active connect subscription will have access to Sony Pictures’ extensive library of IMAX Enhanced content. The service will launch with blockbuster titles, including “Venom: The Last Dance,” “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” and “Uncharted,” all optimized for in-vehicle viewing.
What sets this integration apart is its seamless compatibility with Mercedes-Benz’s revolutionary MBUX Hyperscreen. The sweeping 56-inch curved display, which spans nearly the entire dashboard, provides an unprecedented canvas for cinematic content. The Hyperscreen’s high-resolution OLED technology and advanced AI-powered interface create an optimal viewing environment that rivals home theater setups.
The RIDEVU service leverages IMAX’s proprietary DMR process and DTS:X sound technology to deliver theater-quality entertainment. Viewers can experience IMAX’s signature expanded aspect ratio across up to six screens within the vehicle, with content available in multiple dubbed languages. The system’s Screen Manager allows centralized control of all displays through the main interface, enabling both individual and shared viewing experiences for passengers.
“We’re bringing our most immersive sound experience directly to the vehicle in a way that hasn’t happened before,” says Bill Neighbors, Chief Content Officer at Xperi. “With this collaboration, we’re helping bridge the gap between home and vehicle, delivering personalized entertainment where consumers want it.”
Magnus Östberg, Chief Software Officer at Mercedes-Benz AG, emphasizes the synergy between hardware and content: “Our large-format HD displays give our customers the best seat in the house, filling the cockpit with vibrant colors and immersive sound, just like in a movie theatre.”
The service will initially roll out in six markets: the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Germany. Content can be accessed through built-in vehicle displays and personal iOS and Android devices, though driver access is restricted to parked vehicles for safety reasons.
This initiative represents a significant step forward in the evolution of automotive entertainment, reflecting a growing trend toward transforming vehicles into extended living spaces. As autonomous driving technology advances, high-quality in-car entertainment systems like RIDEVU may become increasingly central to the automotive experience.
