Full Breakdown
The Odyssey’s IMAX 70mm Run Extended Through Mid-September
8/5/2026, 1:53:17 AM
Core Event
The summer blockbuster *The Odyssey*—directed by Christopher Nolan—has had its limited-run 70 mm IMAX screenings extended to September 16. Only 25 U.S. theaters (41 worldwide) can project the massive reels, and tickets sold out weeks in advance, prompting the extension. New midnight, early-morning and afternoon slots have been added at venues such as AMC Lincoln Square (New York), Apple Cinemas Providence Place (Rhode Island), and Milwaukee Film’s Oriental Theatre (Wisconsin).
Background & Context
Nolan’s choice to shoot *The Odyssey* entirely on IMAX film follows his earlier IMAX-only release *Oppenheimer*. The 70 mm format, introduced in the 1970s, has not seen new projector builds in roughly 50 years, forcing theaters to refurbish vintage machines. This rarity has turned the format into a “pilgrimage” for cinephiles, many of whom attend 2 a.m. or 6 a.m. screenings.
Data & Statistics
- Opening-weekend domestic box office: $124.5 million.
- Global IMAX box office to date: $221 million (IMAX Corp.).
- July 2026 IMAX worldwide gross: $257 million, a 47 % increase over the previous record.
- 70 mm IMAX earnings for a single weekend: $5.1 million, averaging $673,000 per location.
- The film’s third weekend earned $51.0 million, a 43 % drop from the prior week.
- 70 mm screenings are available at 25 U.S. theaters and 41 locations worldwide.
Official Statements & Responses
IMAX Corp. confirmed the 70 mm screenings will continue until September 16, citing “frenzy” of demand in its second-quarter earnings call and noting the format’s limited capacity. The next scheduled 70 mm title is *Dune: Part Three* on December 18.
Milwaukee Film’s programming director Kerstin Larson highlighted the organization’s commitment to preserving 70 mm projection and announced a year-long 70 mm film series beginning late August.
Providence Place’s technical team described the extensive refurbishment required to keep the vintage IMAX projector operational.
On-the-Ground Reports
- At AMC Lincoln Square, roughly 450 attendees watched a 2 a.m. screening, calling it “definitely an event.”
- Providence Place’s IMAX screen offered four daily showtimes and extended its run through mid-September.
- Milwaukee’s Oriental Theatre required 15–20 hours of preparation per 70 mm screening, handling five heavy reels and performing meticulous cue-mark inspections.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Fanbolt and Nerdist list the end date as September 16, while Celluloidjunkie says the run continues “through at least September 17.”
- Sources agree on the U.S. count of 25 screens but differ on the worldwide total: Providence Journal cites 41 locations; Celluloidjunkie repeats the same figure without regional detail.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The problem is they haven't made new IMAX film projectors in about 50 years,” — Richard Gelfond, IMAX CEO
- “There's just a different sense of immersion when you're viewing something in 70,” — Kelsey Parks, technical manager, Milwaukee Film
- “Having 70mm projection at the Oriental Theatre is such a privilege as an organization that upholds cinema as an artform, and we hope to host this series for years to come to showcase the diversity of stories captured on film,” — Kerstin Larson, Milwaukee Film programming director
What’s Next
- September 16 – Final day for 70 mm IMAX screenings of *The Odyssey*.
- September 18 – *Resident Evil* (Zach Cregger) takes over IMAX auditoriums nationwide.
- December 18 – *Dune: Part Three* begins its 70 mm IMAP run.
The extended run underscores both the commercial pull of Nolan’s IMAX-only productions and the logistical challenges of preserving a format that has not seen new projector builds in half a century.
