Disney Signs Multiyear Film Deal With Cosm, Opening With 'Star Wars: A New Hope' in Immersive Domes for 50th Anniversary

Disney has signed a multiyear, multifilm partnership with Cosm that opens with a Shared Reality presentation of "Star Wars: A New Hope" in March 2027 at domes in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit and Los Angeles. Disney becomes Cosm's third major studio partner after Warner Bros. and Universal, and financial terms were not disclosed.

Nov 12, 2026 - 13:15

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The Walt Disney Co. has signed a multiyear, multifilm partnership with Cosm, the operator of dome-shaped "Shared Reality" venues, and the agreement will open with a new presentation of "Star Wars: A New Hope" timed to the film's 50th anniversary. Cosm announced the deal on Thursday, Nov. 12, saying the production will premiere in March 2027 at its venues in Atlanta, Dallas, Detroit and Los Angeles, with tickets going on sale in 2027.

CNBC reported that the financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. According to Cosm's announcement, the arrangement makes Disney the company's "next major studio partner" and will add selections from Disney's film library to Cosm's portfolio of cinema content. Variety and CNBC both described Disney as the third major studio to sign with Cosm, following Warner Bros. Pictures and Universal.

What the Deal Covers

The first title under the partnership is the 2019 version of the Academy Award-winning 1977 film, according to Cosm and Deadline. Cosm said the movie will be displayed in its original 16:9 format at the center of the company's 12K+ LED dome, while the surrounding sections of the dome change to show locations and moments from the story. The company said audiences will "land on the desert planet of Tatooine," see the destruction of Alderaan, visit the Rebel Alliance on the fourth moon of Yavin, step inside the Death Star and fly alongside the Millennium Falcon during the final trench run.

The production was developed with Disney, Lucasfilm, Industrial Light & Magic and the creative studio MakeMake, according to Cosm's release. CNBC reported that Cosm is working directly with Lucasfilm and ILM, as well as MakeMake, on both the visuals and the sound mixing.

Alexis Scalice, vice president and head of Cosm Studios, said in the company's statement: "The Star Wars franchise blazed the trail for cinematic fandom and has been the north star of the entertainment industry since the original film debuted in 1977." She added, "We're privileged to work alongside our incredible partners to develop an experience that celebrates the film's legacy and provides fans across generations an opportunity to step inside the beloved Star Wars galaxy like never before."

In an interview with CNBC, Scalice said, "We are thrilled to add the Disney partnership." She told the outlet that Cosm looks for "anniversary and commemorative moments" and for a "mutually beneficial partnership between both parties." Speaking to Variety, she said, "Since we've launched experiential cinema at Cosm, people have been asking for this film for the last year and a half."

Cosm's Growing Studio Slate

"A New Hope" will be Cosm's sixth cinematic release in the Shared Reality format, according to the company. CNBC reported that Cosm has previously partnered with Warner Bros. to bring "The Matrix," "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and "It" to its venues. Universal's "Shrek" is scheduled to begin screening on Dec. 15, according to Variety, which reported that it will be the first animated feature to play at Cosm.

The Disney agreement follows a major investment from another Hollywood studio earlier this year. On June 24, 2026, Sony Pictures Entertainment announced a $100 million strategic investment in Cosm as the lead investor in the company's Series C financing round. Sony said it would acquire a minority ownership stake and that its chairman and CEO, Ravi Ahuja, would join Cosm's board of directors. Sony said the investment "advances SPE's focus on experiential entertainment, fandom and technology."

At the time, Cosm President and CEO Jeb Terry said in Sony's announcement, "We will use this capital to fuel Cosm's growth as we expand our venue network and advance our technology initiatives across both Sports and Entertainment." Variety reported in June, citing a source familiar with the matter, that Sony planned to experiment with bringing its own franchises to the format. NBC News reported that Cosm had announced a $250 million funding round in July 2024 that valued the company at more than $1 billion.

Venues, Backers and the Anniversary Calendar

Deadline reported that Cosm, a privately held company, was founded in 2020 and opened its Los Angeles flagship three years later. Its four current locations are in Inglewood, California, near SoFi Stadium, and in Atlanta, Dallas and Detroit. CNBC reported that each dome has stadium-style seating with booths and tables on each level, and Variety reported in June that the venues use 87-foot, 12K LED dome displays. Sony's June announcement said a fifth venue was planned for downtown Cleveland in early 2027.

According to Deadline, Cosm's backers include Mirasol Capital CEO Steve Winn, former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry, Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert and Blackstone partner David Blitzer. In addition to films, the company programs live sports broadcasts, which Deadline said are supported by partnerships with the NFL, the NBA and other leagues. Deadline placed the company alongside Imax and Sphere among experiential businesses that have drawn audiences willing to pay a premium for high-end entertainment.

The Cosm engagement is one part of Disney's broader 50th anniversary plans for the franchise. Deadline reported that the anniversary will also include a run of the film in various Imax formats and a major merchandise push. CNBC reported that Disney is preparing a celebration that includes merchandise launches, theatrical re-releases, its Star Wars Celebration convention and collaborations with other brands. CNBC noted that the March premiere comes just ahead of the anniversary in May.

CNBC reported that the "Star Wars" engagement will be paired with a themed menu, as Cosm has done for earlier titles. Neither company has named the other Disney films that will follow under the agreement.