Originally Posted by Webby

For movie "widescreen" production the current format is 2.35:1 and can also be 1.85:1 depending on film formats and anamorphic lenses used. Both these formats are in common use in cinemas.

Can't be sure and never checked this, but understand there is something called "enhanced DVD" which can stretch formats to fill a 16:9 screen without the black bars - tho results can be "soft" and can look distorted.