AMC Theatres set a record for IMAX revenue through the first two weekends of a single film’s release, as Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey delivered unprecedented box office performance across premium large-format screens. From July 16 through July 26, AMC recorded the highest IMAX revenue in its history for any title’s opening run, according to an announcement from the theater chain on July 27.
The Odyssey opened domestically to approximately $124.5 million and added $87 million in its second weekend, with IMAX screens accounting for a significant portion of those sales. Globally, the film generated $52 million from IMAX locations in its opening weekend and $48 million in the second weekend, reaching $140 million in global IMAX box office through the first two weeks.
The Odyssey is the first feature film shot entirely using IMAX 70mm cameras, a technical achievement that director Christopher Nolan designed specifically for large-format presentation. The film was captured on cutting-edge 70mm IMAX film cameras and is presented in IMAX’s 1.43:1 expanded aspect ratio, filling the entire screen at IMAX venues.
AMC operates approximately half of all IMAX screens in the United States and more IMAX locations than any other exhibitor in North America. The record performance underscores the company’s strategic investment in premium theater experiences as a key driver of revenue growth.
Demand for the film in IMAX 70mm format has been extraordinary. Only 25 theaters in the United States can project The Odyssey in true IMAX 70mm film, and many of those locations sold out showtimes through mid-August. AMC’s Lincoln Square 13 theater in New York ran IMAX 70mm showtimes around the clock—24 hours a day—on Friday through Sunday of both opening weekends to accommodate demand.
IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond called The Odyssey “a transformational event for IMAX” and noted that the film “has the potential to impact our business in many ways that are clear — and many ways we can’t yet predict.” The film’s success has reinforced IMAX’s position as a premium viewing format and demonstrated sustained audience appetite for large-format cinema experiences.
AMC Chairman and CEO Adam Aron stated that the record performance validates the company’s commitment to premium large-format screens. “Christopher Nolan, his cast and crew along with Universal Pictures have created a brilliant cinematic event that audiences clearly want to experience in the most immersive formats available,” Aron said in the company’s press release. “The historic performance of THE ODYSSEY in IMAX at AMC reinforces without doubt our strategy of offering moviegoers superb, technology advanced and immersive theatrical experiences.”
Through its first two weekends, The Odyssey had earned approximately $286 million in North America and approximately $640 million worldwide, making it Christopher Nolan’s biggest opening to date. The film’s exceptional performance in IMAX represents about 22 percent of its worldwide box office total through the first two weeks.
Sources
- AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. — official press release confirming IMAX revenue record, opening and second-weekend box office figures, theater locations, and CEO statement
- IMAX Corporation — global IMAX box office figures for opening and second weekends, CEO statement on transformational event
- Variety — IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond quote on The Odyssey as transformational event, second-quarter earnings context
- Deadline — worldwide box office totals and opening weekend figures
- Forbes — IMAX 70mm format details and screen count information
- USA Today — IMAX 70mm theater locations and advance ticket sales information
