Tickets for Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film The Odyssey went on sale on June 4, 2026, and fans are rushing to grab seats for what is being called the biggest visual treat of the year. The film is the first full-length feature ever shot completely with IMAX 70mm film cameras. But there is a catch. Only 45 theaters around the world have the special equipment to play the movie in its true, original format.
The New Camera That Changed Everything
For years, IMAX film cameras were too loud. Filmmakers could not use them during scenes where actors spoke because the noise would ruin the audio. In movies like Oppenheimer, Nolan used IMAX cameras for big action moments but had to switch to regular cameras for quiet, talking scenes.
For The Odyssey, the team built a new camera system called “Keighley.” It weighs nearly 400 pounds but runs much quieter than older models. The name honors David Keighley, IMAX’s former chief quality officer who passed away in August 2025 just days after checking the film’s daily shots.
Nolan told CBS’s 60 Minutes that IMAX 70mm is the best quality imaging format ever made. He said nothing else competes with it. The massive film frame gives a picture quality equal to about 16K to 18K digital resolution, which is far sharper than any regular movie screen.
Where to Find the True 70mm Theaters
Only 30 theaters in the United States and nine in Canada have the ability to show The Odyssey in true 70mm IMAX. Another six locations exist in other countries around the world. That makes just 45 total theaters globally.
The screens at these theaters are huge, measuring about 59 by 79 feet. They use a nearly square shape that fills your whole field of vision. The film runs sideways through the projector, allowing for a much bigger image than normal movies.
Many of these theaters sold out their first showings quickly. But most have added extra showtimes. Some cinemas are offering early screenings starting July 16, 2026, one day before the official July 17 release date. Ticket prices for these premium showings can go above $30.
Your Backup Options If 70mm Is Not Available
Not everyone lives near one of these rare theaters. Nolan’s team has prepared other ways to watch the movie that still offer a great experience.
IMAX with Laser 4K is the next best choice. This system uses dual laser projectors and can show the same 1.43 to 1 square image shape as the 70mm version. While the picture is not as sharp as the 18K film print, it stays bright and clear. Some Omnimax dome theaters also offer this format.
Regular 70mm film projection is another option. This uses a different method where the film runs up and down instead of sideways. The image is about half the size of IMAX 70mm but still gives more than double the resolution of standard 35mm film. The picture shape changes to a wider 2.20 to 1 ratio.
If those are not available, standard IMAX 4K laser at a 1.90 to 1 wide ratio works well for most viewers. This is what you will find in regular IMAX theaters at your local multiplex.
Check out this link for the names/locations of the IMAX theaters.
The Cast and Story Behind the Epic
The Odyssey brings Homer’s ancient Greek story to life. Matt Damon plays Odysseus, the hero trying to return home after the Trojan War. The film also stars Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron.
The movie was shot across seven months in Italy, Malta, Morocco, Greece, Scotland, and Iceland. Nolan used mostly real effects instead of computer graphics. He even did color correction using camera filters rather than digital tools. The final prints were made directly from the original film, giving the cleanest possible image.
The budget for the film is reported at $250 million. Early ticket sales for 70mm IMAX screenings saw 25,000 seats sell out within hours across 22 locations, even before the first official trailer came out.
For more updates on movie releases and where to watch the biggest films in the best quality, keep reading TopKNews.
