Movie Fans Travel Across the Country to Watch The Odyssey in IMAX 70mm Theaters
The Odyssey in IMAX 70mm is one of the biggest trends in movies this year, with thousands of fans of Christopher Nolan travelling across the US to see the film in its native format. Limited theatre availability, sold-out screenings and the film’s unique production have turned a regular release into a can’t-miss event for cinema lovers.
What Is So Special About IMAX 70mm
The Odyssey was filmed entirely in the IMAX format, using IMAX cameras for the first time in a full-length feature film. Shot on large-format film, the big-screen version was sharper, with more detail and a taller aspect ratio than regular digital screenings. Christopher Nolan has long been an advocate for the theatrical experience, and many fans believe that the only way to watch this film as the director intended is in IMAX 70mm.
But there is a big problem. The film will only be screened in some 40 or 41 IMAX 70mm theatres around the world, with about two dozen of those in the United States. That scarcity has made the tickets a hot commodity, with many opening weekend screenings sold out months ahead of release.
Fans Travel Hundreds of Miles
With no IMAX 70mm screens, moviegoers have been travelling across the country for a single screening. Some fans bought flights. Others planned their road trips or vacations around ticket availability. Tickets in some cities sold out within hours, with many viewers booking seats nearly a year in advance.
The hype is part of a larger movement among moviegoers, who are treating premium-format screenings as experiences, not just a night out at the movies. There are plenty of fans who are more than willing to travel hundreds of miles for a first/last chance to see a theatrical event.
Record Demand at IMAX Box Office
The Odyssey has also been a box office smash. The film pulled in some $264 million globally in its opening weekend, with IMAX screenings alone accounting for over $50 million, a record for the premium format.
It also featured new IMAX camera technology developed in collaboration between Christopher Nolan and IMAX engineers. The cameras are quieter and lighter, making for easier dialogue scenes, but they still produce the high-quality visuals of IMAX film.
What it means to theatres
“The response has been phenomenal and is a reflection of the growing popularity of premium experiences in the cinema. Audiences are increasingly willing to pay higher ticket prices for IMAX 70mm. However, the format is difficult to expand as there are very few theatres equipped with the specialised projection systems and no new IMAX film projectors are being manufactured.
The Odyssey IMAX 70mm phenomenon proves that audiences are still willing to go the extra mile to witness a truly exceptional cinematic experience that can’t be matched through streaming or standard digital viewings.
References
Reuters – For worldwide opening weekend box office numbers, IMAX box office, premium format performance.
The Verge – For information on the movie being shot entirely on IMAX cameras, and why IMAX 70mm is the best way to watch it.
Axios – Used for reporting on fans travelling long distances, limited theatre availability and demand for advance tickets.
Page Six – The inside scoop on the new IMAX camera tech developed with Christopher Nolan.
Tech Radar – The number of IMAX 70mm theatres around the world and the challenges of growing the format.
