‘The Odyssey’ Extends Record-Breaking IMAX Run Into 11th Week

The demand for premium formats has become a key indicator of a film’s longevity, and few films have pushed that demand like Christopher Nolan’s latest historical epic. Nearly two months post-release, ‘The Odyssey’ continues to dominate IMAX screens, breaking every existing record for the format.

Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s ancient poem debuted on July 17 as the first feature film entirely shot with IMAX cameras, marking a significant technical achievement that has translated into extraordinary box office success for premium screenings. This momentum shows no signs of waning, even as the film’s theatrical run stretches on.

IMAX has officially extended ‘The Odyssey’s’ 70mm run through September 30, bringing the film’s overall IMAX presence to a remarkable 11 weeks. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film has amassed $457 million across IMAX screens globally, making it the highest-grossing IMAX release of all time. Its 70mm screenings, Nolan’s preferred format, have generated $66 million worldwide, averaging an impressive $1.6 million per screen.

This $457 million IMAX total more than doubles the previous record holder, 2009’s ‘Avatar,’ which earned $271 million across IMAX screens without adjusting for inflation. The extended run adds more showtimes at 39 IMAX 70mm auditoriums across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, France, and the Czech Republic, giving audiences an additional month to experience the film in its most premium format.

With only 41 IMAX 70mm screens worldwide, the format’s contribution to the film’s overall success is particularly noteworthy given the limited availability. Thanks largely to ‘The Odyssey’s’ performance, July and August marked the two biggest months in IMAX’s history, supported by an average ticket price of $20.58 for the format.

The film’s success isn’t limited to premium formats. ‘The Odyssey’ has grossed $568 million domestically and $1.557 billion worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing film of 2026, trailing only ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day.’ This worldwide total also positions it as the highest-grossing R-rated film in history, surpassing 2024’s ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ and its $1.338 billion total, as well as Nolan’s own highest-grossing film, 2012’s ‘The Dark Knight Rises,’ which earned $1.1 billion.

Additionally, the film has become the highest-grossing global release for its three leads, Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, and Robert Pattinson, further adding to its already record-breaking theatrical run. Starring Damon as Odysseus alongside Tom Holland, Hathaway, Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron, the film carries an estimated $250 million budget, making it one of the most expensive productions of Nolan’s career.

The IMAX 70mm engagement for the film will conclude on September 30, coinciding with the arrival of other major premium-format releases in theaters soon after. IMAX has lined up other high-profile titles for its screens in the coming weeks, including ‘Resident Evil’ on September 18 and the theatrical rerelease of ‘Avengers: Endgame — Encore’ on September 25, both of which will require dedicated IMAX screen time as ‘The Odyssey’s’ specialty run comes to a close.

With its IMAX 70mm engagement now extended through the end of the month, ‘The Odyssey’ continues to showcase the remarkable staying power that a truly premium theatrical experience can generate, even well beyond a film’s opening weeks.

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