Christopher Nolan’s latest film, "The Odyssey," has seen a surge in demand for its 70 mm screenings, leading Universal Pictures and IMAX to extend showings through mid-September. The film, which is a retelling of Homer’s epic, is shot in a unique aspect ratio that has drawn significant interest from audiences eager to experience it on physical film. As traditional digital screenings are often cropped, moviegoers are particularly keen on watching it in its intended format.
Currently, only 25 theaters in the United States and a total of 41 globally are equipped to display the physical film reels. As a result, IMAX has responded to growing demand by introducing additional late-night and early-morning screenings. To date, ticket sales for "The Odyssey" have exceeded $140 million worldwide, constituting over 20% of its total box office gross of $652 million. The limited availability of IMAX screenings, which represent less than 1% of all screens, has contributed to this success.
"The Odyssey" has enjoyed minimal competition in theaters recently, with ticket sales dropping just 27% in its second weekend—indicative of strong audience interest and positive word-of-mouth. Advanced ticket bookings have also played a role, with some tickets becoming available as early as July 2025.
However, with upcoming releases such as Sony and Marvel’s "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," and other IMAX features on the horizon, "The Odyssey" will soon face increased competition. The next significant IMAX release isn’t scheduled until December 18, when "Dune: Part Three" is set to premiere.
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