Frames from a Showscan demo reel found in a defunct theater in Brussels, Belgium.

Showscan was invented by Douglas Trumbull, well-known for his special effects work on films like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Blade Runner. It was an attempt to take the next step in movie realism. Movies were to be filmed on 65 mm negatives (like standard 70 mm film) at a frame rate of 60 frames per second. The 70 mm print was projected at 60 fps onto a curved screen. Like IMAX, Showscan theaters were to have stadium seating to provide an unobstructed view of the screen.

Showscan was intended to provide a vivid, immersive experience. However, the combination of 70 mm film and high frame rate was extremely expensive. The company's own prospectus estimated an added cost of $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 per film just for the physical negative, processing and prints. The curved screen and sloped seating required an expensive retrofit or a new theater. New or modified cameras and projectors was an additional expense. Showscan films were made for specialized venues like international expositions and theme park rides, but no feature-length films used the format.