‘The Odyssey’ Is Giving IMAX a Huge Boost, and Theater Chains Are Taking Notice

Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ may have started as one of the year’s biggest movie releases, but its success is now turning into something much bigger for IMAX. The film has shown just how much audiences are willing to pay for a premium theater experience, and that could have a lasting effect on where future blockbusters are shown.

‘The Odyssey’ has already earned around $1.6 billion worldwide, making it one of the biggest movies of 2026. But its impact on IMAX goes beyond the box office. The film was shot entirely with IMAX cameras, making it the first feature-length movie to do so. That decision helped turn the large-format experience into a major part of the movie’s appeal.

Now, IMAX executives say theater chains are taking notice. During the Goldman Sachs Communacopia + Technology Conference, IMAX CFO Natasha Fernandes discussed how the film’s performance has changed conversations with exhibitors. According to Fernandes, theater operators have clearly seen what happened when Nolan and the studio fully committed to IMAX.

“I’m sure they’ve taken note of how The Odyssey was released, and how Nolan graciously leaned into Imax,” Fernandes said.

That kind of response could be very important for IMAX. Theater companies have to decide whether adding more premium screens or expanding existing ones is worth the cost. A huge hit like ‘The Odyssey’ gives IMAX a strong example to point to when making that case.

Fernandes said the company is already seeing new opportunities with theater chains. Some deals could involve adding second IMAX screens at locations that already have one, while others could focus on increasing seating capacity. “There’s many deals coming into play right now, like opportunities for second screens or higher capacity,” she explained.

The numbers behind ‘The Odyssey’ make that confidence easier to understand. The movie opened with $52 million globally on IMAX screens alone, which represented about 20% of its total worldwide opening. Even more impressive, the film was playing on less than 1% of screens around the world.

That shows how powerful the premium format can be when audiences feel a movie is worth seeing on the biggest screen possible. Instead of simply being another option at the theater, IMAX became part of the reason people wanted to see ‘The Odyssey’ in cinemas.

The company is already seeing similar excitement around its next major releases. IMAX chief marketing officer Anne Globe pointed to ‘Dune: Part Three’ as another movie showing strong early demand. She said advance ticket sales for the film are following a pattern similar to what IMAX saw with ‘The Odyssey’ and ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day.’

“We’re seeing that brand growth and we’re seeing our fan base expand and continue to be excited about what’s being offered in Imax,” Globe said at the conference.

That growing demand could be especially useful for IMAX as studios continue looking for ways to make theatrical releases feel like events. After several years of streaming changing how people watch movies, premium screens give studios another reason to convince audiences to leave home and buy a ticket.

IMAX is also facing an interesting business moment. The company saw its stock rise earlier this year amid reports that it could potentially be involved in a sale. Fernandes did not shy away from discussing the company’s value, calling IMAX a unique part of the entertainment business.

“We occupy a unique position in the entertainment industry,” Fernandes said. “We’re connected with filmmakers and studios, and we have a global reach. So I think we’re definitely a highly valued asset.”

For now, the company appears to be using ‘The Odyssey’ as proof that its strategy works. The film’s long IMAX run has even been extended at 39 of the 70mm locations through September.

With ‘Dune: Part Three’ coming next, the real test will be whether this momentum continues. If it does, ‘The Odyssey’ may end up being remembered as more than a massive Nolan hit. It could also be the movie that helped convince theater chains that bigger IMAX investments are worth making.

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