The highly anticipated film, The Odyssey, has set new records at the BFI IMAX, attracting viewers from all corners of the globe eager to experience it in the specific format envisioned by Christopher Nolan. Situated near Waterloo Station and the Southbank, the cinema has already sold an impressive 82,000 tickets, amassing a gross of £2,169,882. Fans have journeyed from as far as Singapore, Los Angeles, and Toronto, as the BFI IMAX is one of only 41 cinemas worldwide showcasing the film in the immersive Imax 70mm format. Currently, all dates at the BFI IMAX are fully booked until September 10, with additional screenings expected to be announced shortly.
The Odyssey has outperformed significant blockbusters, surpassing Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), which grossed £216,454, and Oppenheimer (2023), which earned £207,677, to achieve the cinema’s record for the highest opening weekend. Over the span of eight weeks, a remarkable 173 consecutive Imax 70mm screenings have sold out, highlighting an insatiable demand for this cinematic experience.
Celebrating Cinematic Heritage
Madeleine Mullett, programme manager at BFI IMAX, expressed pride in the cinema’s unique position. “As the only venue in the UK to hold a complete archive of Christopher Nolan’s Imax 70mm filmography, which now includes The Odyssey, we are honoured to serve as the home of Christopher Nolan on film. Our dedication to preserving and celebrating celluloid, alongside filmmakers who advocate for this format, underscores the timeless allure of storytelling and the irreplaceable communal experience of viewing films on film,” she stated. She further noted that the extraordinary demand for The Odyssey in Imax 70mm is clear evidence of audiences’ desire for an authentic cinematic experience.
The Odyssey, an adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic, features Matt Damon in the role of Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithaca, as he embarks on a treacherous ten-year journey home following the Trojan War. Notably, it is the first feature film to be entirely shot using Imax film cameras. The film has also established a new presale record at BFI IMAX, surpassing that of Dune: Part Two (2024), which generated £366,000 within the first 24 hours, as well as Oppenheimer, which accumulated £254,000 during the same timeframe.
A Special Premiere and Star-Studded Cast
During the world premiere at the venue, Sir Christopher Nolan shared his sentiments about the significance of the location. “This is a very special venue for us; it was here that I met the individual to whom the film is dedicated, my friend and Imax mentor, David Keighley. I wish he could be with us tonight, but I know he would be immensely proud of the work that Patricia Keighley and her team have accomplished in finishing the film. I am also thrilled that you are the first audience in the world to see it projected in this remarkable theatre on this magnificent screen from an Imax film print.”
The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron. For those interested in attending new screenings of The Odyssey at the BFI IMAX, further information will be available online.
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