Full Breakdown
The Odyssey’s 70mm IMAX Surge: Demand, Formats, and Limited Showings
7/31/2026, 12:21:04 AM
The Core Event
Christopher Nolan’s three-hour historical fantasy “The Odyssey” has become a rare box-office phenomenon because it was shot entirely on 70mm IMAX film. After just twelve days in theaters, the movie has grossed over $700 million globally. The limited number of venues capable of projecting the physical 70mm reels—25 theaters in the United States and 41 worldwide—has created a scramble among moviegoers to secure tickets, prompting Universal and IMAX to extend the 70mm run into mid-September.
How Nolan’s All-IMAX Shoot Limits Showings
“The Odyssey” is the first feature ever filmed exclusively with IMAX cameras, meaning the film retains a 1.43:1 aspect ratio for its full duration. This technical choice restricts exhibition to theaters equipped with oversized, over-800-pound film reels and trained projectionists. Cinemark’s public-relations officer Julia McCartha notes that only a handful of films ever receive such treatment, and the scarcity of suitable projectors is why just 25 U.S. screens can present the movie in its intended format.
Where the Film Can Be Seen in 70mm
- Woodridge, IL – Cinemark Seven Bridges and IMAX (6500 IL-53): The only venue in the Chicago metro area that can project the film in true 70mm IMAX.
- Chicago – Music Box Theatre (3733 N. Southport Ave): Offers traditional 70mm film screenings, praised by lead projectionist Julian Antos as the “gold standard.”
- Chicago – AMC River East 21 (322 E. Illinois St) and AMC Roosevelt Collection 16 (1011 S. Delano Ct): Additional 70mm locations.
- Other large-format options: AMC Roosevelt Collection and Regal City North (2600 N. Western Ave) provide IMAX with Laser (digital 4K laser); most AMC sites and the Alamo Drafthouse Chicago use Premium Large Format (wall-to-wall flat screens).
Numbers Driving the Frenzy
- Box-office: $700 million global gross after twelve days (established fact).
- IMAX revenue: $140 million in IMAX ticket sales worldwide, representing just over 20 % of the film’s $652 million total gross (attributed to IMAX).
- Opening weekend: $264.1 million domestically (established fact).
- Ticket demand: Cinemark reports that the first two weeks of 70mm IMAX screenings sold out completely, with future dates booked out through mid-August.
- Screen capacity: Less than 1 % of all U.S. theater screens can accommodate the physical 70mm reels.
Official Statements & Responses
Universal and IMAX announced the extension of 70mm screenings into mid-September, citing “unprecedented demand” and the need to accommodate “late-night and early-morning” showings. Cinemark’s Julia McCartha emphasized that audiences are seeking an “immersive, shared, theatrical experience” that cannot be replicated elsewhere. Music Box Theatre projectionist Julian Antos described the response to the theater’s 70mm showings as “incredible,” attributing it to both the historic nature of the venue and the novelty of the format.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There is nothing like the immersive, shared, theatrical experience,” — Julia McCartha
What’s Next
The extended 70mm run will continue through mid-September, after which the limited-capacity venues will revert to standard digital formats. Competing releases—including Sony’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and upcoming IMAX-focused titles—are slated to share screen time, potentially reducing the availability of premium showings for “The Odyssey.”
