ODEON Metrocentre Becomes One of Only 14 UK Cinemas Trialling Smart Caption-Glasses

ODEON Metrocentre is now one of just 14 cinemas across the UK trialling innovative smart caption-glasses for d/Deaf, deafened and hard-of-hearing guests — ahead of a wider expansion (through participating cinemas), to all films and showtimes from 1 January 2026.

Developed by Built For Good under the brand name WatchWord, the glasses project real-time captions directly into the viewer’s field of vision using lightweight AR lenses. The trial forms part of a national partnership between Built For Good, Universal Pictures and ODEON Cinemas Group.

Guests at ODEON Metrocentre can try the smart caption-glasses for Universal Pictures’ epic conclusion to its global Wicked phenomenon, Wicked: For Good.

This first phase gives guests the chance to experience the technology immediately, ahead of the wider rollout from 1 January, when the glasses will be available for all films and all showtimes at participating cinemas.

The initiative aims to broaden access to the big-screen experience for the more than 12 million people in the UK who are d/Deaf, deafened or hard of hearing. The technology being trialled at ODEON Metrocentre is available free of charge during this period.

This trial forms part of ODEON’s wider commitment to making the big screen more accessible, ensuring more guests can enjoy films in a way that works for them.

Gavin Prior, Centre Director at Metrocentre, said: “We’re delighted to see ODEON Metrocentre involved in this national trial during the screening of Wicked: For Good. Accessibility matters across the whole of Metrocentre, and the introduction of smart caption-glasses is a practical step that makes cinema even more inclusive for guests who need them. It’s great to see this technology already in use, and we welcome the wider rollout coming in January.”

To access the WatchWord smart caption-glasses, guests can request these when booking online, through the ODEON app, or by speaking to a team member on arrival. Devices are free to borrow and must be returned after the screening.