Time’s Almost Up: Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Is Leaving IMAX 70MM Just as Tom Cruise’s ‘Digger’ Moves In

Some cinematic experiences come with a built-in expiration date, and few filmmakers understand that better than Christopher Nolan, whose relationship with IMAX has become almost as legendary as his films themselves. When a Nolan project arrives in the format he’s championed for decades, fans tend to treat it as a fleeting, must-see event.

That urgency has only intensified over the past several months as Nolan’s latest epic wrapped up an unusually long, historic theatrical run. Now, with a new tentpole waiting in the wings, that window is finally closing for good, and the countdown has officially begun.

‘The Odyssey‘ is ending its run in IMAX 70mm auditoriums this coming weekend, with Tom Cruise’s upcoming film ‘Digger’ set to take over those same premium screens next week, according to Global Box Office. The extended theatrical window for Nolan’s Greek epic officially closes September 30, and remaining IMAX 70mm showtimes have reportedly been selling out fast.

‘The Odyssey’ holds a unique place in film history as the first commercial feature ever shot entirely on true 15-perforation, 70mm IMAX cameras. Those cameras are notoriously heavy, loud, and require frequent reloading during production, making Nolan’s commitment to shooting the entire film that way a genuinely ambitious technical undertaking.

A new trailer for ‘DIGGER’ has been released.

In theaters October 2. pic.twitter.com/kTEeFZI14E

— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) September 9, 2026

That dedication to format came with real logistical constraints on the release side as well. Only 25 theaters in the United States, and just 41 worldwide, were actually equipped to project the film in its true 70mm IMAX format, making these final screenings a genuinely rare opportunity for fans hoping to experience the film exactly as Nolan intended.

Directed and written by Nolan, ‘The Odyssey’ adapts Homer’s ancient epic poem, following Odysseus, King of Ithaca, as he battles deadly obstacles and mythical creatures during his perilous journey home after the Trojan War. The film premiered at London’s Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 6 before opening theatrically on July 17 in the United States and United Kingdom.

The final trailer for Christopher Nolan's ‘THE ODYSSEY’ has been released.

In theaters on July 17. pic.twitter.com/xn42TcX4aG

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 1, 2026

With an estimated budget of $250 million, the film ranks among the most expensive productions of Nolan’s career, and boasts a sprawling ensemble cast that includes Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, and Robert Pattinson. Critics responded warmly overall, praising Nolan’s direction and the film’s ambitious set pieces, even while some took issue with its deviations from Homer’s original text.

With ‘The Odyssey’s’ IMAX 70mm window closing, Tom Cruise’s ‘Digger’ is stepping directly into that premium real estate, ensuring the format stays occupied by another major awards-season hopeful rather than sitting empty between releases. That handoff underscores just how valuable and limited true IMAX 70mm screens remain within the broader theatrical ecosystem.

For audiences who haven’t yet caught ‘The Odyssey’ in its full 70mm glory, the coming weekend represents essentially their last chance before the format shifts to Cruise’s film entirely. Those hoping to catch a standard theatrical screening will still have options afterward, with the film’s digital and physical home release scheduled for November 17.

This kind of rapid, high-profile turnover between two major awards contenders speaks to just how much cultural weight true IMAX 70mm screenings currently carry within the industry. With so few theaters capable of projecting the format at all, each transition between films becomes something of an event in its own right for dedicated moviegoers.

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