Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated historical epic, 'The Odyssey', has made an unprecedented impact on ticket sales at London's BFI IMAX, the UK's largest cinema screen. Despite being a month away from its general release, the film sold a staggering 28,000 tickets within its first 24 hours of availability, generating revenue of £750,000.
This remarkable figure more than doubles the previous record for first-day sales at the BFI IMAX, which was set by Denis Villeneuve's 'Dune: Part Two' with £366,000. Nolan's previous blockbuster, 'Oppenheimer' (2023), also performed strongly in IMAX, achieving £254,000 in its initial 24 hours of sales and accounting for 20 per cent of its total box office takings in the premium format.
'The Odyssey' is an adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek poem, following the legendary hero Odysseus on his arduous journey home after the Trojan War. The film boasts an A-list cast, featuring Matt Damon as Odysseus, Tom Holland as his son Telemachus, and Anne Hathaway as his wife Penelope. Other notable stars include Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and Lupita Nyong'o.
A significant draw for cinephiles is the announcement, made over a year ago at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, that 'The Odyssey' is the first feature film to be shot entirely using IMAX 70mm film and IMAX cameras. This commitment to the highest quality cinematic experience has been a key factor in building audience anticipation, particularly among those who seek out premium viewing formats.
Rich Gelfond, IMAX chief, revealed that Nolan's ambition to film entirely with IMAX cameras pushed the company to innovate. He stated that Nolan challenged them to 'rethink that side of our business, our film recorders, our film cameras', ultimately leading to 'The Odyssey' becoming the first film ever to be 100 per cent filmed with IMAX cameras. This technical achievement underscores Nolan's reputation for pushing the boundaries of cinematic presentation.