The Odyssey opens to $52M IMAX global debut, sets records

Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey, distributed by Universal Pictures, generated $52 million in its opening weekend across IMAX (NYSE: IMAX) theaters worldwide, according to a statement from the company. IMAX claimed a 20% share of the film's global debut box office.

The film is the first theatrical release shot entirely with IMAX 70mm film cameras. According to IMAX, the opening set several records, including the biggest global IMAX opening weekend in like-for-like markets excluding China, Japan, and South Korea, surpassing the previous record by 16%. It also marked the biggest IMAX opening for a Christopher Nolan film, the biggest IMAX opening for a Universal Pictures release, the biggest IMAX opening in July, and the largest IMAX pre-sales ever at $50 million.

In North America, the film earned $29.6 million across 444 IMAX screens, representing a 23.8% market share. Internationally, it generated $22.2 million across 441 screens in 74 markets, capturing a 16% share. Twenty-six markets recorded their largest-ever IMAX opening weekend, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, Mexico, and Argentina.

The 41 IMAX locations screening the film in 70mm format generated $6.3 million, averaging $153,000 per screen. The film is scheduled to expand into South Korea on August 5, China on August 14, and Japan on September 11, with IMAX 70mm screenings planned for at least five weeks.

Nolan and cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema shot 2.1 million feet of IMAX film for the production. The filmmakers collaborated with IMAX to develop a next-generation film camera called The Keighley, along with a compatible sound blimp.

IMAX's total global box office for the weekend of July 17 reached $60 million, with local-language films from China, Japan, and South Korea contributing the remainder. China's All Wishes Come True led those titles with $3.3 million.

IMAX operates 1,865 systems across 91 countries and territories as of March 31, 2026.

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