List of Movies with Alternate/Shifting Aspect Ratios

[blu-ray_girl_fan]

Avatar
(In theaters, 2D and 3D were shown in 2.35:1 or 1.78:1 depending on whether the screen was Constant Height or Constant Width. Director opted for 1.78:1 for both 2D and 3D on Blu-ray.)

Biutiful
(Shifts between 1.85:1 and 2.40:1 in theaters and on Blu-ray.)

Brainstorm
(Switches between windowboxed 1.85:1 and 2.40:1.)

Brother Bear
(In theaters and on Blu-ray, the movie changes from 1.85:1 to 2.39:1. On Blu-ray, the 1.85:1 sequences are windowboxed to maintain the theatrical experience of "going wide" instead of "going tall".)

Chinatown
(Opening credits are 1.33:1, bulk of movie is 2.35:1.)

The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader
(Shown in theaters in 2.39:1, 1.78:1 on Blu-ray)

The Dark Knight
(Mostly 2.39:1; opens to 1.78:1 for shots/sequences designed for Real IMAX)

The Dark Knight Rises
(Mostly 2.39:1; opens to 1.78:1 for shots/sequences designed for Real IMAX)

Enchanted
(In theaters and on Blu-ray, the animated sequences are in 1.85:1 while the live-action sequences are in 2.39:1. On Blu-ray, the 1.85:1 sequences are windowboxed to maintain the theatrical experience of "going wide" instead of "going tall".)

The Evil Dead
(Separate 1.33:1 and 1.85:1 encodes)

Galaxy Quest
(In theaters, the ratio changed from 1.33:1 to 1.85:1 to 2.39:1 as the movie progressed. On Blu-ray, the ratio changes from 1.33:1 to 2.40:1, skipping 1.85:1 altogether. On Blu-ray, the 1.33:1 sequences are windowboxed to maintain the theatrical experience of "going wide" instead of "going tall".)

The Horse Whisperer
(In theaters and on Blu-ray, the movie changes from 1.85:1 to 2.39:1. On Blu-ray, the 1.85:1 sequences are windowboxed to maintain the theatrical experience of "going wide" instead of "going tall".)

The Incredibles
(Begins with brief windowboxed 1.33:1 sequence before expanding to 2.40:1.)

JFK
(Begins with brief windowboxed 1.33:1 sequence before expanding to 2.40:1.)

Life of Pi
(Mostly 1.78:1; narrows to 2.40:1 during flying fish sequence; one shot in 1.33:1)

Once Upon a Time in Mexico
(Shown in theaters in 2.39:1, 1.78:1 on Blu-ray)

On the Waterfront
(Three separate encodes in 1.33:1, 1.66:1, and 1.85:1 on Blu-ray)

Oz the Great and Powerful
(In theaters and on Blu-ray, the movie starts in 1.33:1 but widens to 2.39:1. On Blu-ray, the 1.33:1 sequences are windowboxed to maintain the theatrical experience of "going wide" instead of "going tall".)

Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
(Mostly 1.85:1 but narrows to 2.40:1 and other aspect ratios depending on what's being shown.)

The Simpsons Movie
(In theaters and on Blu-ray, the movie starts in 1.33:1 but widens to 2.39:1. On Blu-ray, the 1.33:1 sequences are windowboxed to maintain the theatrical experience of "going wide" instead of "going tall".)

Superman (1978)
(Begins with brief windowboxed 1.33:1 sequence before expanding to 2.40:1.)

This Is Cinerama
(Begins with windowboxed 1.33:1 sequence before expanding to Cinerama width.)

THX-1138
(Opening "Buck Rogers" clip is 1.33:1, bulk of movie is 2.35:1.)

Titanic (1997)
(2D was 2.39:1 in theaters and on Blu-ray; director opted for 1.78:1 for 3D in theaters and on Blu-ray)

Tombstone
(Begins with windowboxed black-and-white 1.33:1 clips, expands to 2.35:1 for rest of the movie.)

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Walmart Exclusive
(Mostly 2.39:1; opens to 1.78:1 for shots/sequences designed for Real IMAX)

Tron: Legacy
(Mostly 2.39:1; opens to 1.78:1 for shots/sequences designed for IMAX)

Woodstock
Wide range of aspect ratios, including 1.66:1, 2.35:1, and 2.55:1. Several "multi-screen" sequences.

The World's Fastest Indian
(2.39:1 in theaters; 2.40:1 on Blu-ray in Australia; 1.78:1 on Blu-ray everywhere else)



Potential Alternate/Shifting Aspect Ratios Candidates:
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
2.39:1 in non-IMAX venues
Mostly 2.39:1; has shots/sequences designed for Real IMAX and Digital IMAX



*Note:
Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol
2.39:1 in 35mm prints
(Footage was shot with IMAX cameras and shown in 1.66:1 in Real IMAX, but director opted for constant 2.40:1 ratio on Blu-ray)

Oblivion
(Footage was shot and shown in 1.90:1 for IMAX, though the black-and-white flashback sequences were framed at 2.40:1; constant 2.40:1 on Blu-ray as in non-IMAX theaters.)

Prometheus
(In Real IMAX theaters, the 3D version was shown in 1.66:1. In Digital IMAX theaters, the 3D version was shown in 1.90:1. In non-IMAX theaters, the 2D version was shown in 2.39:1. On Blu-ray, both 2D and 3D versions are 2.40:1.)

Skyfall
2.39:1 in 35mm prints
(Footage was shot and shown in 1.90:1 for IMAX, but director opted for constant 2.40:1 ratio on Blu-ray)

Star Trek Into Darkness
2.39:1 in 35mm prints
(Footage was shot with IMAX cameras and shown in 1.66:1 in Real IMAX)

[Rizor]

Biutiful switches between 2.40:1 and 1.85:1. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Biuti...2/#Screenshots

Once Upon a Time in Mexico & The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader were both shown theatrically at 2.39:1, and opened to 1.78:1 for home video.

On the Waterfront is presented in 1.33:1, 1.66:1, and 1.85:1 on the Criterion Blu-ray. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/On-th...6/#Screenshots

The Evil Dead (1981) is presented in both 1.85:1 and 1.33:1 on Blu-ray. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/The-E...2/#Screenshots

The first 24 min of Brother Bear are in 1.75:1, then the sides open up to 2.35:1. https://www.blu-ray.com/movies/Broth...7/#Screenshots

The opening scenes of Oz the Great and the Powerful are in 1.33:1, then the movie opens to 2.40:1.

Then there are the controversies over Shane, the Kubrick films, etc.

[blu-ray_girl_fan]

Originally Posted by Rizor

Biutiful is in 2.40:1 and 1.85:1.

Once Upon a Time in Mexico & The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader were both shot digitally, shown theatrically at 2.39:1, and opened to 1.78:1 for home video.

On the Waterfront is in 1.33:1, 1.66:1, and 1.85:1 on the Criterion Blu-ray.

The Evil Dead (1981) is presented in both 1.85:1 and 1.33:1 on Blu-ray.

Great, thanks!

[HD Goofnut]

Sent you updates girl.

[PuppyJonathan]

Enchanted's animated sequences are in 1.78:1 and live action is in 2.35:1

[Rizor]

Originally Posted by blu-ray_girl_fan

Great, thanks!

I added Brother Bear and Oz after you updated your post.

[Monterey Jack]

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is in 1.85:1 but frequently contracts to 2.35:1 for many of the action sequences.

[KINGDANGER]

I think this list should only contain movies where the aspect ratio changes during the movie intentionally and is presented that way faithfully or if they offer an additional aspect ratio. For all other titles that are presented on Blu-ray with an altered aspect ratio from their theatrical version, HD Goofnut already has an exhaustive thread with tons of titles. Maybe just put a link to that thread in the OP. https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...t=aspect+ratio

I do really like that you're including whether the shift is window-boxed or no, I like this effect when used appropriately. The Incredibles opens briefly with 1.33:1 "documentary film" footage window-boxed, before shifting into 2.39:1.

[jordy475]

Does the Road Warrior start in 1:33 and go to 2.35, if I recall it does, haven't watched it in a while and do not have a chance to check the disc at the moment.

Edit: It may be window boxed as well

[GOMEZFAN69]

Brainstorm switches between windowboxed 1.85:1 and 2.40:1

[blu-ray_girl_fan]

Updates made.

[steve_dave]

The Simpsons Movie - Starts 1.33:1 for the opening Itchy and Scratchy cartoon then goes 2.40:1 wide after Homer's rant.

[James Luckard]

Oblivion
Shifted ratios in the version shown in the IMAX screenings. It started in letterboxed 2.40 for the black and white flashback, then opened up to fill the frame when the movie shifted to the present. It continued shifting back to 2.40 for each flashback.

JFK
The opening documentary sequence is 1.33, then the remainder of the film is 2.40. The BD presents it this way, as seen in theaters.

Superman (1978)
Opening black and white prologue is 1.33 with theatrical curtains on either side filling the 2.35 frame. The opening credits then explode out to fill the whole width.

[RyanPom]

The Blu rays for Star Trek The Original Series and TNG are shown in original aspect ratio of 1.33:1 as opposed to stretched out the way it was aired.

[Billy Moon]

Originally Posted by RyanPom

The Blu rays for Star Trek The Original Series and TNG are shown in original aspect ratio of 1.33:1 as opposed to stretched out the way it was aired.

Your TV's aspect ratio settings are incorrect if it stretches anything.

[bigrob]

Prometheus
(In theaters, the 3D version was shown in 1.78:1 while the 2D version was shown in 2.39:1. On Blu-ray, both 2D and 3D versions are 2.40:1.)

I saw this in 3D at the cinema and it was constant 2.40:1 throughout. the IMAX version though was opened up to 1.90:1 throughout (didn't see it in IMAX but read a few reviews)

[double_l4488]

Once Upon a Time in Mexico
(Shown in theaters in 2.39:1, 1.78:1 on Blu-ray)

That just does not make sense, when they do that.

[bigrob]

Originally Posted by double_l4488

That just does not make sense, when they do that.

That's a Rodríguez trend. he did it with Grindhouse (one for the list)

Planet Terror Unrated BD 1.78:1
Planet Terror Grindhouse BD and Theatrical 2.40:1

[James Luckard]

Originally Posted by KINGDANGER

I think this list should only contain movies where the aspect ratio changes during the movie intentionally and is presented that way faithfully or if they offer an additional aspect ratio. For all other titles that are presented on Blu-ray with an altered aspect ratio from their theatrical version, HD Goofnut already has an exhaustive thread with tons of titles. Maybe just put a link to that thread in the OP. https://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread...t=aspect+ratio

I do really like that you're including whether the shift is window-boxed or no, I like this effect when used appropriately. The Incredibles opens briefly with 1.33:1 "documentary film" footage window-boxed, before shifting into 2.39:1.

I agree. The focus of the list seems to be films where the aspect ratio shifts/changes during the film. This would be a very worthwhile list and I'm glad you're organizing it.

However some of the included titles have aspect ratios that were merely altered between theatrical and home video, which is a different thing entirely and has already been covered by other lists here.

[blu-ray_girl_fan]

Originally Posted by RyanPom

The Blu rays for Star Trek The Original Series and TNG are shown in original aspect ratio of 1.33:1 as opposed to stretched out the way it was aired.