Tickets for Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic The Odyssey in IMAX 70mm went on sale a full year before the film’s release, selling out within hours at major theaters worldwide. Fans rushed to secure seats for the limited screenings, with resale prices soaring to $400 or more.
IMAX 70mm Tickets Released a Year Early
Universal Pictures and IMAX made history by putting tickets on sale for The Odyssey on July 17, 2025, exactly one year before its theatrical release on July 16, 2026. This marks the first time a major studio has offered tickets so far in advance. The decision reflects Nolan’s strong influence in theatrical exhibition and the high demand for premium large-format screenings.
The tickets were available exclusively for 70mm IMAX screenings, Nolan’s preferred format. Only about 30 theaters worldwide are equipped to project the film in this format, making these screenings highly sought after.
“This is bold, it’s brilliant, and it’s audacious. But only someone of Nolan’s stature could pull this off. He’s a brand unto himself.” — Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore.
Tickets Sell Out in Minutes
Within one hour, 95% of available seats were sold out, generating an estimated $1.5 million in sales. Major locations like AMC Lincoln Square (New York), Universal CityWalk (Los Angeles), and BFI IMAX (London) were completely booked within 15 minutes to an hour. Other sell-out venues included theaters in San Francisco, Toronto, Melbourne, and Prague.
Regal Cinemas reported that six of its IMAX 70mm locations sold out in under 12 hours, including Irvine Spectrum, Mall of Georgia, and King of Prussia.
Resale Market Explodes with Sky-High Prices
With limited availability, scalpers quickly listed tickets on resale platforms like eBay for $200 to $400, far above the standard $25–$28 retail price. Some listings included:
- A single ticket for a Dallas Cinemark screening priced at 400% above face value.
- A four-ticket package for AMC Lincoln Square starting at $1,000.
Fans expressed frustration online, calling the inflated prices unfair. However, unlike concerts or sports events, The Odyssey will have additional screenings in standard and premium formats closer to release.
Why the Unprecedented Early Ticket Sale?
Nolan’s films have a strong track record in IMAX, with Oppenheimer earning $190 million from IMAX screens alone. Universal’s strategy aims to:
- Build long-term hype for the film.
- Reward hardcore Nolan fans who prioritize the best viewing experience.
- Test a new marketing approach for event cinema.
“This ticketing decision is generating all kinds of upfront attention for the movie. When you do something that’s never been done before, it helps make the movie seem like an event.” — Shawn Robbins, Fandango director of movie analytics.
Where Can You Still Get Tickets?
As of now, a few IMAX 70mm screenings remain available at:
- Hollywood TCL Chinese Theatre (Los Angeles)
- Regal Hacienda Crossings (Dublin, CA)
- Regal Edwards Ontario (CA)
- Esquire IMAX (Sacramento, CA)
- AMC Metreon (San Francisco)
More screenings in standard IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and regular formats will be announced closer to the release date.
About The Odyssey
Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s epic poem stars:
- Matt Damon as Odysseus
- Tom Holland as Telemachus
- Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and Jon Bernthal in key roles.
The film is shot entirely with IMAX 70mm cameras, a first for a major studio production. With a $250 million budget, it is Nolan’s most expensive project yet.
Also read: 8 Big Reveals From Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Teaser Trailer
Credits: Research and reporting compiled from verified sources including The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, Variety, and official IMAX announcements.
