Christopher Nolan effect takes over China as 'The Odyssey' targets huge Imax debut

Imax China is preparing a major rollout of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey across mainland China, with nearly all of its approximately 800 Imax screens expected to showcase the epic film during its opening week.

According to Variety, Imax China CEO Daniel Manwaring said audience anticipation for The Odyssey has reached exceptional levels, driven by what he called the “Christopher Nolan effect” and the filmmaker’s strong following among Chinese moviegoers.

The film, starring Matt Damon, is scheduled to open in China on August 14. Nolan and Damon are also expected to visit Beijing on July 30 for promotional events, including a special red carpet event at the China National Film Museum. Preview screenings are planned in major cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen before the nationwide release.

Early interest has been strong, with ticketing platform Maoyan reporting more than 252,000 “want to see” registrations for The Odyssey, placing it among the most anticipated imported films currently tracked. While ticket pre-sales have not yet started, Imax China is expecting strong results based on Nolan’s previous success in the region. His 2023 film Oppenheimer earned more than 30% of its China box office revenue through Imax screenings, according to data cited by Variety.

Manwaring also highlighted the importance of premium cinema experiences in China, where audiences closely follow technical details such as large-format screens and laser projection.

Despite weaker financial results in the first half of the year, Imax China expects a stronger second half with major releases including Spider-Man: Brand New Day, The Odyssey, Kung Fu Soccer and Avengers: Doomsday boosting its upcoming slate.