I’m getting really tired of people claiming you have to see Christopher Nolan’s latest film in Imax 70mm to get the full experience. Honestly, if I hear it one more time, I might lose it!
While technically correct, it’s well-known Nolan pursued a very ambitious vision for this film. He used a large and powerful IMAX camera – a project few directors could afford – and pushed to get more theaters equipped to show it in its full IMAX 70mm (and standard 70mm) glory. I, like many others, appreciate those efforts.
It’s a remarkable artistic achievement to retell a story that’s almost 3,000 years old using today’s most advanced filmmaking technology. However, very few people will actually get to experience it. Currently, only 25 theaters nationwide have the equipment needed to show the film in its full Imax 70mm format – eight are in California (with four in the Los Angeles area), two each in Colorado, New York, Texas, and Tennessee, and one each in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.
That’s just over double the amount of cities in the US hosting World Cup games this year. Of course, many people will still be able to enjoy the tournament by watching it on television.
Don’t expect to see “The Odyssey” streaming anytime soon. Director Christopher Nolan strongly believes movies should be seen in theaters, so he keeps them there much longer than most films. It probably won’t be available on Peacock until early 2027.
Entertainment & Arts
Christopher Nolan’s new film, ‘The Odyssey,’ is creating a surge in interest for Imax 70mm film. This is also highlighting the importance of the specialized theaters and skilled projectionists who continue to preserve and showcase traditional film formats.
It’s great news for both audiences and cinemas that “The Odyssey” is doing so well! The film has already earned back its massive $250 million production cost after just one weekend. While it needs to make between $625 and $750 million overall to become truly profitable, that seems very achievable. In fact, “The Odyssey” could join a select group of films, potentially becoming only the third R-rated movie ever to earn over $1 billion at the box office.
Despite any preference for certain kinds of movies, most showings will be in standard 70mm film – there are many different types available. Beyond simply reminding people of the story they may have last encountered in school, “The Odyssey” is also demonstrating what high-quality viewing experiences can look like.
I was checking out the film’s website, and it’s amazing – you can see the trailer in so many different formats! They have versions for IMAX 70mm, regular IMAX, 70mm, and Dolby Vision, plus large format options. Of course, it’s hard to really see the difference on my computer screen – it mostly just shows how the picture changes size – but it was still a really cool thing to play around with!
It’s much less enjoyable trying to find available tickets and showtimes for “The Odyssey.” While it’s not as challenging as facing mythical creatures, getting tickets, even after the first week, can be a surprisingly difficult journey.
Including but not limited to the recent crash of the AMC app.
Movies
The filmmaker wasn’t afraid to update the classic 2,700-year-old story for modern audiences, creating a more intense Cyclops, a more menacing Circe, and even a completely different conclusion.
I might have accidentally made things worse with this situation – I just spent over an hour trying to get only two tickets, and it was a real struggle.
Even though I generally dislike special treatment, I wanted to see “The Odyssey” the way Christopher Nolan envisioned it – on large-format IMAX film. Unfortunately, tickets were sold out everywhere, even in regular IMAX and 70mm formats, except for seats right at the front. I ended up seeing it in Dolby Vision at a theater in Burbank, thankfully finding decent seats mid-week. Luckily, going to the movies is part of my job, so it didn’t feel like a waste!
I don’t have the technical expertise to discuss things like color accuracy or format differences, but the Dolby presentation was incredibly immersive. It really pulled me into the movie with stunning visuals – especially the storms and action sequences – and powerful, booming sound.
I felt completely exhausted and a little lost as I stumbled out into the sunlight, feeling like Odysseus returning home after a long journey – except my trail wasn’t sand, it was popcorn! It was a truly unique experience; I think I need to get in shape just to survive watching a movie in IMAX 70mm again.
I’m honestly a little confused by all the talk claiming “The Odyssey”’s popularity means something bigger about what people are looking for in movies. It feels like everyone’s overthinking it – it’s just a really, really good film!
Movies
A celebrated English actress is captivating viewers with her powerful portrayal of Circe in Christopher Nolan’s latest grand film, demonstrating both her bravery and impressive acting skills.
This film is truly unique, unlike anything else made recently. It’s so original that it’s impossible to predict what will come next or to try and copy it. While sequels or spin-offs based on this story seem unlikely—though a series focusing on Circe with Samantha Morton could be interesting—the future of cinema shouldn’t rely too heavily on the specific technology used to make this film, like IMAX 70mm. The theatrical experience needs more than just one impressive format to thrive.
While offering more impressive viewing experiences like premium formats might seem like a good way to get people back to theaters, it’s not a complete solution. And frankly, there isn’t enough equipment – like IMAX 70mm cameras and projectors – to make it happen everywhere.
Just like devoted sports fans, serious movie lovers will go to great lengths – and spend a lot of money – for an unforgettable experience. We’ve recently seen examples of people driving long distances or spending thousands of dollars to watch films like “The Odyssey” in Imax 70mm, which is similar to the stories of international fans saving for years to attend events like the World Cup.
As much as I love seeing fans excited about film again, this current situation doesn’t feel right long-term. Movies should be accessible to everyone, not just those of us lucky enough to live near a high-end theater or willing to shell out serious cash for a ticket. It shouldn’t take hours of effort just to find a showing, deal with inflated prices, or rely on workarounds just to get a seat. There’s a clear divide happening based on location and income, and that feels really unfair – movies are meant to be a shared experience.
Before you know it, Live Nation will be involved and then where will we be?
It’s great that “The Odyssey” is doing so well, and that benefits both director Christopher Nolan and movie theaters. However, relying on expensive, special experiences to revive struggling box office numbers isn’t a sustainable solution. As Timothée Chalamet pointed out, if Hollywood wants to avoid the fate of ballet and opera – appealing to only a limited audience – it can’t depend solely on these premium offerings.
It’s wonderful that “The Odyssey” is being shown in stunning formats like Imax 70mm and regular 70mm, particularly at a time when films starting as online videos are also becoming huge successes. We shouldn’t think of different kinds of films as competing with each other; instead, we should support all types of filmmaking to appreciate the amazing variety it offers.
No matter how visually stunning something is, it always needs to serve a purpose. The story of “The Odyssey,” whether presented as a film, play, or another medium, remains a powerful adventure with deeper emotional layers and a thought-provoking message that feels even more relevant today. Christopher Nolan’s impressive depictions of classic scenes – like the Trojan Horse, the Cyclops, the fall of Troy, and men turning into pigs – don’t need special screen formats to be truly remarkable.
I’ve seen a lot of debate about the best way to watch movies – different formats and all that. Honestly, it’s all been really interesting and fun to follow! But at the end of the day, whether it’s on a big screen or a smaller one, it’s just a really good film, and that’s what matters to me.
And that’s the only template Hollywood needs to follow.
2026-07-24 13:32