Christopher Nolan’s latest film, The Odyssey, has quickly become one of the most anticipated cinematic events of the year. However, fans eager to experience the movie in Nolan’s preferred IMAX 70mm format are finding that only a limited number of theaters worldwide offer this premium presentation.
The film’s preview screenings generated a record-breaking $17.6 million, marking the strongest preview performance of 2026 so far and surpassing the previous record held by Toy Story 5 with $17.5 million. This surge in demand for IMAX 70mm tickets has been particularly notable across the United States and other international markets.
The Odyssey holds the distinction of being the first feature film shot entirely with IMAX film cameras, a fact emphasized repeatedly by Nolan and the cast during promotional events. True IMAX 70mm screenings involve projecting massive film prints onto towering 1.43:1 aspect ratio screens, delivering a significantly larger and more detailed image than standard digital presentations.
Despite the high demand, only 41 theaters globally, including 25 in the U.S., are equipped to screen The Odyssey in this format. This scarcity leaves many viewers unable to enjoy the film in its full visual grandeur.
IMAX’s Chief Executive Richard Gelfond highlighted that the limitation is not due to lack of demand but rather technical challenges. Unlike modern digital projectors, IMAX has not produced new 70mm film projectors in nearly five decades. Instead, the company relies on restoring and refurbishing existing machines, a complex and time-consuming process.
Gelfond noted, “We’re sold out in some theatres into the fifth week already. There’s certainly more demand.” However, manufacturing new 70mm projectors is impractical because many specialized components are no longer produced, and much of the original engineering expertise was lost as cinemas transitioned to digital projection in the late 2000s.
In response, IMAX spent over a year locating broken and abandoned 70mm projectors worldwide. Engineers refurbished usable units, salvaged parts from damaged equipment, and trained 60 new projectionists to operate these intricate systems. This effort increased the number of IMAX 70mm venues from 30 during the release of Oppenheimer to 41 for The Odyssey.
The limited availability has turned IMAX 70mm screenings into sought-after events, with fans traveling across states, attending late-night showings, and even planning trips around the format. This enthusiasm echoes the fervor that contributed to Oppenheimer’s box-office success in 2023.
Financially, The Odyssey is projected to open domestically between $90 million and $100 million, with early indicators suggesting it could surpass these estimates. For context, Oppenheimer earned $10.5 million in previews before grossing $975 million worldwide.
The Odyssey features a star-studded cast including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and Jon Bernthal. The production reportedly cost $250 million, with an additional $125 million allocated for marketing, making it one of 2026’s most expensive films.
In a significant development, Nolan has effectively transformed IMAX 70mm screenings from a standard viewing option into a rare, premium event. This scarcity appears to be fueling the film’s impressive box-office momentum, underscoring the unique appeal of the format.
