Are You Missing Out by Not Watching ‘The Odyssey’ in IMAX 70mm?

Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ has officially hit theaters, sparking discussions that focus more on the viewing experience than the storyline itself. The film premiered on July 17, 2026, in 70mm IMAX at just 25 locations across the United States, indicating that this is not your typical theatrical release.

Nolan’s masterpiece is the first narrative film ever shot entirely on IMAX 65mm cameras, making the 70mm IMAX format the only way to experience the film as it was meant to be seen. If you’re contemplating whether to travel an extra hour for the right screening, the answer is likely a resounding yes.

Universal’s ‘The Odyssey’ brings Homer’s epic tale to IMAX for the first time, launching everywhere on July 17, 2026. The significance of this achievement is part of why fans consider the format as crucial as the narrative itself.

Nolan tackled one of the major challenges of IMAX filmmaking—the loud noise from the cameras—by constructing a specialized muffling enclosure known as a blimp, allowing for dialogue scenes to be filmed in this format. As a result, every frame, whether featuring a quiet conversation or a grand set piece, was captured natively in IMAX rather than enlarged in post-production.

Typically, standard cinema film runs at 35mm, and when paired with an IMAX screen, the image expands to fill the frame in both width and height in a way that regular theaters cannot replicate. Watching ‘The Odyssey’ outside of this format essentially means viewing a cropped version of what Nolan envisioned.

There’s also a distinction between true 70mm IMAX and venues screening the film in non-IMAX 70mm, which still provides a denser image but lacks the exaggerated IMAX frame. Dolby Cinema is the most widely available premium alternative. Understanding which format your local theater is using is more crucial with this release than with almost any other film this year.

The film follows Odysseus, the iconic Greek king of Ithaca, as he embarks on his journey home after the Trojan War, facing the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens, and the nymph Calypso while striving to reunite with his wife Penelope. This is a narrative many audiences are familiar with, which is part of why the format has become a significant selling point.

Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, with Nolan describing the character as complex, an exceptional strategist, and quite cunning. This portrayal emphasizes the spectacle rather than a straightforward retelling.

The shift towards IMAX 70mm was not just a marketing tactic. Industry analysts have projected a global opening exceeding 200 million dollars for ‘The Odyssey,’ with domestic earnings estimated between 90 and 100 million dollars. Such figures indicate that the format obsession is directly translating into ticket sales.

Damon leads an impressive cast that includes Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron, marking what is being referred to as Nolan’s follow-up to ‘Oppenheimer.’ This ensemble is remarkable for any film, especially one centered around a single continuous production philosophy.

The film features Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, and Lupita Nyong’o, with Zendaya portraying Athena and Elliot Page also part of the cast. The mythology of the story provides each actor with a distinct archetype to embody, which critics have noted enhances the sense of scale.

Reviews have been predominantly positive regarding the theatrical experience. One review described Nolan’s IMAX epic as leaving viewers feeling completely physically exhausted, akin to the satisfaction after an intense workout. Another outlet referred to it as a bold, muscular film that is crafted for IMAX and deserves to be experienced on the largest screen possible.

The demand for the correct format has evolved into a cultural phenomenon. Reports indicate that Nolan fans are going to great lengths for IMAX 70mm tickets, including cross-country trips and even postponing pregnancy plans just to catch the film in its intended format. Such dedication is rare, even for a Nolan release.

Ticket demand for IMAX screenings has been intense since sales opened in July 2025, nearly a year before the film’s premiere, with some showings selling out within hours. The Lincoln Square location in New York sold out at 3 a.m., a feat typically reserved for concert tours rather than movie tickets.

Regardless of whether you can access one of the limited IMAX 70mm screens, the pressure to see ‘The Odyssey’ the “right way” has become intertwined with the film’s identity before many have even purchased a ticket. So whether you’ve already seen it or are still searching for a genuine 70mm seat nearby, what has your experience with the format been like?