That sucks! So I have to choose surround in the ceiling or atmos in the ceiling with no surround jeez.
Yes, that is true. As I said, and as an experienced builder of audio systems, I advise you strongly not to put ceiling or surround speakers in that space. You will be far further ahead to put the money into a really good 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 or 3.2 system. After all that gets you 99% of the loaf. I am certain that systems posted on here in rooms like that would be far better systems following the advice I have given you. As time goes by I get more and more convinced that most rooms should not have surround systems in them, let alone surround and Atmos. To do the full HT experience really does require a dedicated room, not open, and with acoustic friendly dimensions. Absent that, less is much, much more.
Actually my wife and I use that system I referenced above more than any other system we have, and yes, we do watch movies on it, despite having a state of the art theater upstairs. You do not need a multitude of speakers to have a really good theater experience. What it takes first and foremost, is first class sound. I am also coming to the view that the BBC has been correct all along in that even a center speaker is highly dispensable, and in most instances a downgrade. Most center speakers are not an asset but a hinderance to a good sound experience.
I am also more and more inclining to the view that all speakers in a system must be to equivalent standard, or you are better off without them.