Story perspectives

Nolan’s “Odyssey” Spurs $70-$200 Resale for Rare 70mm IMAX

7/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

Nolan’s “The Odyssey” sparked high demand for IMAX 70 mm showings, leading to premium ticket prices.
Only 41 theaters worldwide—25 in the United States—can project true 70 mm film.
Opening-weekend adult tickets cost $27.77, 81% above the average premium, yielding about $153,000 per 70 mm screen.
Projector failures at Regal King of Prussia, Cineplex Vaughan and SIFF switched shows to digital, prompting resale tickets to sell for $70–$200, twice the $30 face value.

History

Historical Context

In 1968 Stanley Kubrick released the 70 mm film 2001: A Space Odyssey, a joint screenplay with Arthur C. Clarke that showcased 70 mm technology. That showcase seeded the premium-format market, which re-emerged decades later with new 70 mm releases, echoing the earlier technical milestone. Clarke later compiled unused material in the 1972 book The Lost Worlds of 2001, underscoring the franchise’s lasting appeal.

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Story summary

Nolan’s “The Odyssey” sparked high demand for IMAX 70 mm showings, leading to premium ticket prices.
Only 41 theaters worldwide—25 in the United States—can project true 70 mm film.
Opening-weekend adult tickets cost $27.77, 81% above the average premium, yielding about $153,000 per 70 mm screen.
Projector failures at Regal King of Prussia, Cineplex Vaughan and SIFF switched shows to digital, prompting resale tickets to sell for $70–$200, twice the $30 face value.

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