# Cinefex — journal of cinematic illusions

> Digital archive of cinematic visual effects history and behind-the-scenes insights. (iPhone/iPad app by Cinefex LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cinefex/id512379220 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Cinefex LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/512379223)
- Category: Entertainment, Magazines & Newspapers
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.77/5 from 579 App Store ratings · 39 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 12+
- Requires: iOS 9.0 · 83 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2012-07-28
- Data updated: 2026-06-10
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cinefex/id512379220/reviews.md

## What is Cinefex?

Carry the entire history of modern visual effects with you on your iPad.

For more than 40 years years, Cinefex took readers behind the scenes for an exclusive look at the visual magic behind many of the most popular and enduring movies of all time. The Cinefex iPad edition is an enhanced version of the print magazine.


Single back issues can be purchased directly through the Cinefex app. We invite you to download the app for free, and start enjoying your first iPad edition of Cinefex today.


SUBSCRIPTION OPTION: Enjoy an all-access subscription to our entire catalog of 172 issues for $27.99/yr, automatically renewed until canceled. Payment for all purchases will be charged to your iTunes account at the confirmation of your purchase.

Every issue in the Classic Collection (1-126) has been digitally restored and image-enhanced, every article viewable in its original "print" format or in a new e-friendly format with customizable type, image galleries, bookmarking and other features. Best of all, the collection is fully searchable, making this an invaluable tool for researchers or effects artists — or anyone who wants to delve into our 30 years of unsurpassed visual effects coverage.

All issues in the modern collection (127-172) have been designed specifically for the iPad. Each issue contains all of the articles and ads appearing in our print edition, but includes nearly twice as many photographs, many of which are interactive, allowing readers to toggle back and forth between plates and comps and elements to see how visual effects shots come together. Whenever possible, we also incorporate video clips and breakdowns of effects shots and sequences.


After 40+ years of publications, we are sad to report that no new issues will be forthcoming, but the Cinefex iPad App will be maintained for the foreseeable future, thereby affording continued digital access to every past and present issue of the magazine.


SUBSCRIBERS’ AUTOMATIC-RENEWAL FEATURE: Your subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Your iTunes account will automatically be charged $27.99 within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage your subscriptions through your Account Settings after purchase. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period.


PRIVACY POLICY:
http://cinefex.com/ipad/privacy/


TERMS OF USE:
http://cinefex.com/ipad/terms/

## Key features

- Digital archive of visual effects history
- Behind-the-scenes movie insights
- Interactive image galleries
- Video clips and breakdowns
- Searchable content
- Customizable e-friendly format

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cinefex iPad Subscription | $27.99 | per year |

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cinefex 1 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Cinefex 130 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Cinefex 131 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Cinefex 132 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Cinefex 134 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Cinefex 135 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Cinefex 136 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Cinefex 139 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Cinefex 142 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Cinefex 145 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Cinefex 9 | $4.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Cinefex?

Overall sentiment: mixed

**Pros**

- 📚 High-quality VFX content and educational value
- 🎨 Vivid image quality and visual presentation
- 🎬 Bonus video content and multimedia features
- 📱 Works well on iPad devices
- ✅ App continues to be maintained and updated
- 🔄 Restore feature recovers purchased issues
- ⚡ Fast page swiping with no lag
- 🌐 Digital access to out-of-print back issues

**Cons**

- 🐛 Crashes on iOS 17 and newer versions
- 🔐 Lost Kickstarter campaign purchases not recoverable
- 💾 Download permission and cache folder errors
- 🔍 Zoom and page scaling issues after updates
- ⏱️ Slow download speeds for high-quality content
- 🖥️ iPad-only, not available on desktop/laptop
- 📖 Difficult page navigation and scrolling
- 💬 Poor customer support responsiveness
- 💳 Unexpected taxes and billing surprises
- 🔄 Subscription issues and charge reversals needed
- 📱 Syncing problems between devices

**Commonly reported bugs**

- App crashes on launch with iOS 17+
- Pages zoomed and cut in half, unreadable
- Cache folder permission denied errors
- Download completes but won't switch to read mode on M1 Macs
- Kickstarter issues disappear from library
- Purchases not syncing between devices
- iTunes password prompt appears twice on startup
- App doesn't remember reading position
- Download failures on newer iOS versions
- Review writing feature not working

**Most requested features**

- Desktop and laptop application support
- Adjustable font size for better readability
- Portrait mode for text reading
- Interactive multimedia content expansion
- High-resolution still images
- Improved page navigation system
- Better subscription management
- Offline reading capability

## Recent user reviews (10 of 39)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cinefex/id512379220/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Happy to see this is still supported

*2024-03-19*

I, like a lot of people, was dismayed when Cinefex ceased publication. I feared that this app would also cease to function at some point, but I’m happy to see that it is still being supported (thus far).

I’ve purchased a few issues through the app, but the issues I received through the Kickstarter campaign to create the app have disappeared. Is there any way to get them back (other than repurchasing)?

### 1/5 — Where are the rest of my collection?

*2024-01-22*

A lot of us spent a large sum of money through the Kickstarter campaign that devolved this program, and now only issues from 2012 are showing as being purchased. How do we get the rest of our collection returned to us. I don’t plan on buying them all a second time.

### 1/5 — Where are the rest of my collection?

*2024-01-19*

A lot of us spent a large sum of money through the Kickstarter campaign that devolved this program, and now only issues from 2012 are showing as being purchased.  How do we get the rest of our collection returned to us.  I don’t plan on buying them all a second time.

### 5/5 — App seems fixed….

*2024-01-01*

Thought it was doomed when iOS updated and broke the app, especially since they shut down years ago. 

Currently its magically working sgain. 
IPad pro. IOS 17.1.2
  
FYI to those in similar boat.

**Developer response:** Great to hear it's working, thanks!

### 5/5 — Working great

*2023-12-28*

Great job on the update

**Developer response:** Thanks, good to hear!

### 5/5 — Thanks for Fixing iOS 17 version!

*2023-12-26*

It now works on my MacBook and iPad.

### 1/5 — Zoom

*2023-12-25*

I just updated to the latest version and all the pages are zoomed and cut in half. Unreadable and no way to minimize the page

**Developer response:** That's another iPadOS17 issue (still looks alright on iPadOS16). We're working on a fix. The problem specifically affects the image gallery pages, classic covers, and classic reader views, the regular text pages and videos should be OK.

### 1/5 — I have used this magnificent App for many years

*2023-12-23*

Ever since I got this app, when it first came out, I thought it was amazing. Over the years I have actually purchased some of the issues that were out of print and the ones that replace digitally that I already had.  I was saddened to hear that they closed but the app will live on!  I was glad to hear that my purchases will be on my iPad and I can take them with me.  Now after all these years with the new update cause the app to fail. With all my issues locked up failed app. I am hoping that Apple will be able to fix because my purchases are not accessible anymore.

**Developer response:** Hello, if you're experiencing a crash with iPadOS 17, hopefully the most recent update (approved on Christmas Day) fixes it.

### 3/5 — Version 2.3 now broken on MacOS 14.2 running on M2 Mac

*2023-12-20*

The app just crashes when you open.  Please fix.

### 5/5 — A tragedy that Cinefex is gone

*2023-11-16*

I’ve learned so much from this magazine over the years. It served as my number one how-to manual in my DIY film days, was a huge source of inspiration in my 18 months of being a digital compositor in the VFX industry, and remains some of my favorite bedtime reading.

And sadly, it’s not working in iPadOS 17. I hope for an update to fix that, but I do wonder how long this app will continue to be updated.

## Frequently asked questions about Cinefex

### What is this app about?

This app provides a comprehensive digital archive of cinematic visual effects history. It offers behind-the-scenes looks at the visual magic behind many popular movies, with enhanced features for iPad users.

### What are the key features of the app?

Key features include access to over 170 issues, digitally restored and image-enhanced content, interactive image galleries, video clips and breakdowns of effects shots, a searchable collection, and a customizable e-friendly format.

### How much does the app cost?

The app itself is free to download. You can purchase single back issues directly through the app. An all-access subscription to the entire catalog of 172 issues is available for $27.99 per year.

### What devices is this app compatible with?

The app is designed for iPad and offers an enhanced experience specifically for this device. It provides access to a vast collection of visual effects history.

### Who would benefit from using this app?

This app is an invaluable tool for researchers, visual effects artists, filmmakers, and anyone interested in delving into the history and creation of visual effects in cinema. It offers deep insights into the evolution of movie magic.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.3.2 — 2023-12-28

Fixed image scaling problems in iPadOS 17

### 2.3.1 — 2023-12-25

Fix for crashes on iOS 17

### 2.3.0 — 2022-02-01

Fix for the Pages View (thumbnail page selector next to the table of contents).

### 2.2.9 — 2022-01-28

Fix for downloading issues in iOS 15.
The download code has been largely rewritten for this update, so please let us know if you encounter any problems.

### 2.2.8 — 2021-05-19

Fixes for our original kickstarter supporters.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*