Ticket Frenzy and Record IMAX Revenue for Christopher Nolan’s *The Odyssey*

Across multiple markets, Christopher Nolan’s *The Odyssey* has generated a ticket-sale surge that repeatedly sold out the limited venues capable of projecting the film in true 70 mm IMAX. In London, the British Film Institute’s IMAX cinema released an additional batch of tickets on a Friday, only to have the entire allotment disappear “in under 30 minutes,” according to the theater’s statement. In the United States, AMC reported that from July 16 through July 26 the film set the chain’s all-time opening-run IMAX revenue record, confirmed in the company’s July 27 announcement. The Tennessee Aquarium’s IMAX theater reinstated its retired 70 mm projector for the film and has extended ticket availability into September.

AMC sets IMAX revenue record with The Odyssey’s first two weekends WTVC - ABC ChattanoogaSeattle TimesThe Bulwark

IMAX 70 mm uses film stock three times larger than conventional 70 mm, running horizontally through a specialized projector. “What IMAX did, was they took 70mm film, which runs vertically through the projector, and they turned it on its side, and then they repeated it over three times,” — Umphenour. Only 25 theaters in the United States and 41 worldwide possess screens large enough for the format, creating a built-in supply constraint that has amplified demand.

LAist

• Ticket sales: The BFI’s opening weekend generated £219,867 (? $300,000) over three days, surpassing *Star Wars: The Last Jedi* and setting a pre-sale record of 28,000 tickets in 24 hours.

Variety Magazine

• IMAX revenue: AMC’s record run contributed roughly $140 million of global IMAX box-office receipts, about 22 percent of the film’s worldwide total through the first two weeks.

AMC sets IMAX revenue record with The Odyssey’s first two weekends

• Box-office totals: The film crossed $700 million globally within 12 days, ranking as the fourth-highest-grossing release of the year.

Variety Magazine

• Theater capacity: All 25 U.S. IMAX 70 mm venues reported sold-out showtimes through mid-August, with some locations operating 24-hour showings on opening weekends.

AMC sets IMAX revenue record with The Odyssey’s first two weekends

IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond called the run “a transformational event for IMAX.” Corey Cobb, director of IMAX operations at the Tennessee Aquarium, described the community response as “phenomenal,” noting ticket purchases from 39 states and the film overtaking *Oppenheimer* as the venue’s highest-grossing title.

AMC sets IMAX revenue record with The Odyssey’s first two weekends

Some exhibitors caution that the emphasis on premium large formats may alienate patrons who cannot access such screens. “One exhibition exec [says] their theater is ‘very careful’ not to brand too hard around PLFs in order to avoid ‘deterring a customer who may think, If I can’t see it in a PLF, I shouldn’t see it in a theater.’” — Frank

The Bulwark

• “What IMAX did, was they took 70mm film, which runs vertically through the projector, and they turned it on its side, and then they repeated it over three times,” — Umphenour.

LAist

• “Christopher Nolan, his cast and crew along with Universal Pictures have created a brilliant cinematic event that audiences clearly want to experience in the most immersive formats available,” — Adam Aron, chairman and CEO

AMC sets IMAX revenue record with The Odyssey’s first two weekends

In response to the sell-outs, several venues have extended their 70 mm runs into September, providing additional showtimes for audiences willing to travel to the limited screens. The scarcity of IMAX 70 mm venues suggests future blockbusters may face similar supply-demand dynamics, prompting exhibitors to explore extended engagements or alternative premium formats.

AMC sets IMAX revenue record with The Odyssey’s first two weekends