Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ breaks another IMAX record as rare 70mm screenings get extended

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is continuing its extraordinary theatrical run, with IMAX extending screenings of the film in its prized 70mm format through September 30. The extension gives audiences additional opportunities to see Nolan’s Homer adaptation in one of the rarest large format presentations available in cinemas.

The decision comes after sustained demand for the 70mm screenings, which have remained particularly strong despite the limited number of locations equipped to show the format. The extension will take the film’s IMAX 70mm run to 11 weeks, underlining the unusual staying power of a format that is available at only 41 locations worldwide.

The numbers behind the run are equally striking. The Odyssey has generated $457m globally through IMAX, making it the highest grossing IMAX release ever. The figure puts the film well ahead of the previous record holder, Avatar, which earned $271m through IMAX during its original theatrical run. The totals are not adjusted for inflation.

The 70mm presentations have also made a significant contribution. The format has brought in approximately $66m across its 41 locations, averaging about $1.6m per venue. The limited availability has helped create a premium cinema experience around the film, with audiences seeking out screenings that cannot be replicated at ordinary theatres.

The achievement comes alongside a huge overall box office performance. The Odyssey has crossed approximately $1.55bn worldwide, according to current box office tracking, giving the film a substantial commercial milestone for a nearly three hour R rated epic.

The film has also become Christopher Nolan’s highest grossing movie, surpassing the worldwide total of The Dark Knight Rises. Its performance has further strengthened Nolan’s reputation for bringing audiences back to cinemas for large scale original filmmaking.

A major part of the film’s IMAX appeal comes from its production method. The Odyssey was shot entirely with IMAX cameras, making it the first theatrical feature to use the format across the entire film rather than reserving IMAX photography for selected sequences. IMAX previously reported that the production used 2.1 million feet of film, while the company developed new camera technology for the demanding shoot.

The film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, and follows his dangerous journey home after the Trojan War. Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Elliot Page, Jon Bernthal and John Leguizamo are among the ensemble cast.

For IMAX, the success represents a particularly significant result because The Odyssey has demonstrated how scarcity can drive demand for a specialised theatrical format. Earlier IMAX figures showed the film continuing to attract audiences well into its theatrical release, with 70mm venues recording strong advance demand.

With the 70mm run now continuing through September 30, The Odyssey is giving Nolan fans additional time to experience the film in the format designed around its enormous scale.