Summary
- The Odyssey returns to more than 1,000 screens in the US and Canada from December 11.
- Universal confirms IMAX 70mm screenings.
- The film has earned $1.8 billion worldwide.
- It is the first feature shot entirely on IMAX film cameras.
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey returns to cinemas this December, with Universal bringing the epic back to the big screen, including IMAX 70mm presentations.
Starting December 11, 2026, the film will return to more than 1,000 screens in the United States and Canada across all formats, including IMAX and IMAX 70mm. Universal announced the release on November 5. No equivalent Greek re-release schedule was announced.
The film’s official trailer:
A return after $1.8 billion at the box office
The film originally opened on July 17, 2026. According to Universal, its worldwide gross has reached $1.80 billion, comprising $626 million domestically and $1.175 billion internationally. It has become the highest-grossing film in the careers of both Christopher Nolan and Universal Pictures.
The studio also identifies The Odyssey as the highest-grossing IMAX release ever and the highest-grossing R-rated film worldwide. These records are reported in Universal’s official announcement.
Why IMAX 70mm matters
The Odyssey is the first feature film shot entirely on IMAX film cameras. Nolan and cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema used the large-format analogue system throughout the production, rather than reserving it for selected sequences.
IMAX 70mm refers to analogue projection on 70mm film with horizontal film transport, which is distinct from standard digital IMAX presentations. Bringing the film back in this format gives audiences another opportunity to experience an exhibition format closely aligned with its photographic design.
Ahead of the original release, a six-minute extended trailer screened exclusively in IMAX 70mm, highlighting the importance of the theatrical format months before the premiere.
Homer’s epic on the big screen
Matt Damon stars as Odysseus in Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s epic. The cast also includes Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Samantha Morton, John Leguizamo, Zendaya and Charlize Theron.
Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan produced the film through Syncopy, with music by Ludwig Göransson and editing by Jennifer Lame. The newly announced re-release covers the US and Canada, while Universal says the film continues to play internationally.
What we think
It is encouraging to see a major success get a second theatrical window rather than have the entire conversation revolve around opening weekend. With IMAX 70mm in particular, the screen and projection system are integral to how the work is experienced.
For filmmakers and cinematographers, Nolan’s decision to shoot a complete feature on IMAX film is especially interesting. It puts the relationship between capture medium, framing, composition and on-set practice right at the centre of the discussion. It does not mean analogue is inherently superior to digital; it means that the format is part of the creative intention behind this production.
The practical obstacle is the limited number of genuine IMAX 70mm venues. Universal has not said that all 1,000-plus screens will use film projection. Anyone specifically seeking the 70mm presentation should check the format for their chosen screening.
