CJ CGV's 4DX movie theaters achieved their biggest box-office gross worldwide to date last year, its operator said Wednesday.

The 4DX theaters earned US$228 million and attracted 19 million viewers in the global markets, up 14 percent and 26 percent, respectively, from 2016, according to CJ 4DPLEX, a subsidiary of South Korea's largest cinema chain, CJ CGV.

Its 4DX theaters developed in 2009 provide various chair-embedded sensory effects using an array of special equipment. These effects include puffs of air, scented mist, seat motion and vibration.

Above is a promotional image for 4DX movie theaters, released by CJ CGV. (Yonhap)

The company currently runs 475 4DX movie theaters in 57 countries around the world, including South Korea, China, the United States, Japan, Britain, India, Mexico, Canada and France. In October, the company opened its first 4DX theater in Australia.

"2017 was the year when 4DX established its status as a special theater brand by about 20 million moviegoers around the world, including Asia, Europe, North America and Africa," Choi Byung-hwan, CEO of CJ 4DPLEX, said in a press release. "In 2018, we aim to see more than 60 percent growth in the number of 4DX's global viewers and box-office sales and will continue to work for the global spread of the future screening technology, ScreenX."

CJ CGV is affiliated with CJ Group, South Korea's leading food and entertainment conglomerate. (Yonhap)