High Demand Extends IMAX 70Mm Screenings of 'The Odyssey
WHO:
Block Club Chicago - Christopher Nolan directed "The Odyssey," which features an all-star cast including Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Tom Holland, and Robert Pattinson.
Block Club Chicago - Julia McCartha is a public relations officer for Cinemark.
Block Club Chicago - Julian Antos is the lead projectionist at the Music Box Theatre.
WHAT:
Forbes - IMAX 70mm screenings of "The Odyssey" have been sold out seven weeks in advance for some theaters during its initial run.
Forbes - Tickets for the earliest screenings of "The Odyssey" went on sale one year before its release on July 17.
Forbes - Demand for premium screenings of "The Odyssey" has been driven in part by it being the first movie ever entirely shot in IMAX, maintaining a large aspect ratio for its full duration.
Forbes - IMAX 70mm screenings of "The Odyssey" have been extended to September 16, after initially running through August 19.
Forbes - Some IMAX 70mm theaters introduced 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. showings due to high demand for "The Odyssey."
Block Club Chicago - "The Odyssey" became Christopher Nolan's biggest global opening ever, grossing $264.1 million during its first weekend.
Block Club Chicago - "The Odyssey" has grossed over $700 million globally after twelve days in theaters.
Block Club Chicago - The film had a budget of $250 million.
Block Club Chicago - IMAX has extended 70mm showings of "The Odyssey" to run through September 16 due to high demand.
Block Club Chicago - The first two weeks of 70mm IMAX screenings were completely sold out, with future screenings sold out as far out as mid-August.
Block Club Chicago - Only 25 theaters in the U.S. and 41 in the world can showcase "The Odyssey" in 70mm IMAX format.
WHERE:
Block Club Chicago - The Cinemark Seven Bridges and IMAX is located at 6500 IL-53 in Woodridge, Illinois.
Block Club Chicago - The Music Box Theatre is located at 3733 N. Southport Ave, Chicago.
Block Club Chicago - AMC River East 21 is located at 322 E. Illinois St., Chicago.
Block Club Chicago - AMC Roosevelt Collection 16 is located at 1011 S. Delano Ct., Chicago.
Block Club Chicago - Regal City North is located at 2600 N. Western Ave., Chicago.
Block Club Chicago - Alamo Drafthouse Chicago is located at 3519 N. Clark St., Wrigleyville.
WHEN:
Block Club Chicago - "The Odyssey" is available in theaters through September 16.
Block Club Chicago - The 70mm IMAX projector at the Cinemark Seven Bridges was installed just this past summer.
WHY:
Block Club Chicago - Cinemark reported that they have seen people traveling from other cities and even other states just to see the film in 70mm IMAX format.
Block Club Chicago - The high demand for "The Odyssey" is attributed to its massive scale and the immersive experience it offers in various formats.
HOW:
Block Club Chicago - The Seven Bridges’ 70mm IMAX projector was installed just this past summer explicitly to screen "The Odyssey."
Block Club Chicago - "The Odyssey" was shot entirely on IMAX cameras, a method that had never been previously attempted due to technical limitations.
Block Club Chicago - The 70mm IMAX format requires threading an over-800-pound film reel through specialized projectors operated by trained projectionists.
(UPDATED July 30, 2026 23:21 UTC)
The highly anticipated film "The Odyssey" has already sold out IMAX 70mm screenings in some theaters seven weeks in advance, reflecting an extraordinary demand driven by its status as the first movie entirely shot in IMAX. Tickets for the earliest screenings went on sale a full year before its release on July 17, and audiences are traveling from other cities and states to experience the film in this premium format. In fact, the Seven Bridges theater recently installed a 70mm IMAX projector specifically for this film, showcasing the excitement surrounding its debut.
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(UPDATED July 30, 2026 22:26 UTC)
"The Odyssey" has become Christopher Nolan's biggest global opening ever, raking in an impressive $264.1 million during its first weekend. Due to high demand, some IMAX 70mm theaters have added early morning showings at 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., and the screenings have now been extended to September 16, after originally being set to end on August 19. This extension reflects the film's remarkable popularity among audiences.
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(UPDATED July 30, 2026 20:29 UTC)
Christopher Nolan's new film "The Odyssey," featuring an impressive cast that includes Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, and Zendaya, has already grossed over $700 million globally within just twelve days of its release. Due to overwhelming demand, IMAX has extended its 70mm showings of the film through September 16, with the first two weeks of screenings completely sold out and future dates already booked through mid-August. Only a select number of theaters, including the Cinemark Seven Bridges in Woodridge and the Music Box Theatre in Chicago, are equipped to showcase "The Odyssey" in its stunning 70mm IMAX format, which was shot entirely on IMAX cameras.