Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Breaks BFI Imax All-Time Record With $1 Million Opening Day

Christopher Nolan has consistently proven himself as a filmmaker capable of transforming theatrical cinema into a significant cultural event, and the buzz surrounding his adaptation of ‘The Odyssey’ is a testament to that reputation. Set to debut globally on July 17, the film reimagines Homer’s ancient Greek epic, chronicling the journey of Odysseus as he returns home after the Trojan War, featuring Matt Damon in the lead role. The film also includes a stellar cast with Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Charlize Theron, and Robert Pattinson.

What distinguishes this production even before its public release is its unique filming approach. ‘The Odyssey’ is the first theatrical feature shot entirely in the IMAX format using specialized cameras, with Nolan capturing images in the highest resolution available, up to three times greater than standard digital cameras. This technical ambition has intensified the demand for large-format screenings, and the early numbers are reflecting just how eager audiences are.

As Variety reports, the BFI Imax in London, the largest screen in the UK, sold 28,000 tickets within the first 24 hours of availability, breaking the venue’s first-day sales record with a gross of £750,000, approximately $1 million. This figure becomes even more impressive when compared to previous releases; ‘Dune: Part Two’ earned £366,000 on its first day at the venue, while Nolan’s own ‘Oppenheimer’ garnered £254,000 in the same timeframe.

These record-breaking figures follow four opening weekend screenings that sold out in under an hour a year in advance, including a special midnight showing that will kick off a weekend filled with continuous screenings. This pre-release excitement isn’t limited to the UK.

According to Deadline, the first-day advance Premium Large Format ticket sales for ‘The Odyssey’ at AMC were the highest the chain has seen for any major studio film in four years. PLF presales alone surpassed total first-day presales across all formats for any major theatrical release since 2022. AMC CEO Adam Aron addressed the overwhelming demand on social media, apologizing for the long wait times on the website while confirming the record-breaking results.

For context, ‘Oppenheimer’ concluded its initial run at BFI Imax with a lifetime gross of £2.2 million, a benchmark that ‘The Odyssey’ seems poised to pursue even before its first month in theaters. The success of the previous Nolan film casts a long shadow over discussions about this new release.

‘Oppenheimer’ achieved a global gross of $975.8 million, with over $190 million of that coming from IMAX screenings alone, setting a commercial precedent that studios and theater chains are eager to replicate and expand upon.

The excitement has not come without its chaotic moments. Tickets have been resold on secondary markets for as much as $1,000, with initial July presales from a year ago already prompting eBay listings above $100. The influx of scalpers for a film that has yet to screen publicly highlights the unprecedented anticipation surrounding ‘The Odyssey.’

Whether the film can meet the soaring expectations is a question that every cinephile is pondering. It will be intriguing to see where audiences plan to watch it, and if IMAX 70mm is already on their list.