Ever left the cinema with your ears ringing? You’re not alone — some movie-goers say certain films, especially big action blockbusters, are almost painfully loud.
One cinema fan in Australia said their smartwatch kept buzzing with noise warnings during a screening of the monster movie Godzilla Minus Zero, reaching around 90 decibels at times. They called it the loudest film they’d ever seen.
So who’s actually in charge of the volume? It turns out it’s a mix of things. Filmmakers and sound engineers mix a movie’s soundtrack to an industry standard in special rooms called dubbing theatres, balancing dialogue, music and sound effects. But cinemas themselves can then adjust the volume up or down, depending on the room, the audience, and even what staff think sounds best.
Big, rumbling sounds are made using very low frequencies, which cinema speakers and subwoofers turn into vibrations you can actually feel through your seat. The original 1954 Godzilla roar was famously created by dragging a resin-coated glove across the strings of a double bass.
Modern cinemas with surround sound, like IMAX and Dolby Atmos, can place sounds all around the audience, making explosions or crashes feel like they’re happening right beside you.
Experts say sound only becomes risky for your hearing if it stays loud for a long time, not just from one short burst — so an occasional big jump scare probably won’t do any lasting damage.
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