Mythic Action Epic Captures Best IMAX Global, International Debut in Like-For-Like Markets; Massive 20% IMAX Opening Weekend Global Market Share
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) recorded a record-breaking global opening weekend with Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey from Universal Pictures, delivering $52 million with the first-ever theatrical release shot entirely with IMAX 70mm film cameras. IMAX accounted for a massive 20% share of the film’s global debut.
The mythic action epic — for which IMAX developed a next-generation film camera and state-of-the-art technology enabling sync sound — broke a slew of IMAX records as it journeyed around the world, including:
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Biggest Global opening weekend ever in like-for-like markets (ex-China, Japan, South Korea) – beating the previous best by +16%
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Biggest International opening weekend ever in like-for-like markets (ex-China, Japan, South Korea)
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Second biggest Domestic opening weekend ever
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Biggest opening ever for a Christopher Nolan film
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Biggest opening ever for a Universal Studios release
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Biggest opening ever in July
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Biggest pre-sales ever ($50 million)
The Odyssey is an absolute sensation in IMAX 70mm film – the cinematic gold-standard 18K presentation available in 41 IMAX locations worldwide. IMAX 70mm film locations delivered $6.3 million in weekend box office — a massive average of $153,000 per screen. The Odyssey continues its global run in IMAX for at least three weeks, expanding into South Korea (August 5), China (August 14), and Japan (September 11) as well. The Odyssey will play in IMAX 70mm locations for at least five weeks, with many of those locations already recording sellouts deep into the film’s run.
“The Odyssey is among a rarified group of instant classic blockbusters in IMAX history that fully leverage our platform; as bullish as we are on its success, our experience tells us that even we don’t know how this movie will grow our brand and business,” says Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX. “Christopher Nolan summoned all his brilliance, imagination, and ambition to lead a world-class cast and crew in making this unforgettable film, and we at IMAX are eternally grateful to be a part of this journey that is just beginning.”
“With record pre-sales, critical and audience acclaim, and the way the film presents extraordinarily in IMAX, we believe all the elements are in place for The Odyssey to enjoy a very long and successful run in IMAX.”
In North America, The Odyssey delivered $29.6 million in IMAX box office — a whopping 23.8% market share from just 444 screens.
Internationally, The Odyssey delivered $22.2 million in IMAX on 441 screens, capturing 16% of the box office across 74 markets. Twenty-six markets delivered their biggest IMAX opening weekend of all time, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, Mexico and Argentina.
Nolan and his cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema shot 2.1 million feet of IMAX film in making The Odyssey. The duo also collaborated with IMAX to develop The Keighley — the next-generation IMAX film camera named for the company’s Chief Quality Gurus the late David Keighley and Patricia Keighley — and the accompanying sound blimp compatible with multiple IMAX film cameras.
To celebrate the release of The Odyssey, IMAX sold its first-ever collectible popcorn bucket — inspired by its iconic IMAX 15/65mm camera. The limited edition bucket sold out its first two drops almost instantly, and additional quantities are available at IMAX.com and IMAX locations worldwide for a limited time.
In total, IMAX earned $60 million at the global box office the weekend of July 17, with local language films from across China, Japan, and South Korea rounding out its results — led by China’s All Wishes Come True, which notched $3.3 million.
About IMAX Corporation
IMAX (NYSE: IMAX) is a global leader in entertainment technology, delivering immersive cinematic experiences through proprietary software, architecture, and projection systems. Filmmakers, studios, and artists worldwide use IMAX to connect with audiences at scale, making its network one of the most powerful platforms for blockbuster events and entertainment.
Headquartered in New York, Toronto, and Los Angeles, IMAX operates 1,865 systems across 91 countries and territories as of March 31, 2026. IMAX China Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of IMAX Corporation, trades on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under stock code “1970.” IMAX and related marks are trademarks of IMAX Corporation. For more information, visit www.imax.com.
Contacts
For additional information:
Investors:
Jennifer Horsley
jhorsley@imax.com
Media:
comms@imax.com
