Odyssey IMAX London Tickets Priced at £127.75: BFI Issues Urgent Resale Warning

In an intriguing turn of events, individuals are attempting to resell IMAX tickets for the highly anticipated film, The Odyssey, at exorbitant prices. This film is set to be screened at the BFI IMAX in London, one of the few cinemas globally equipped to present it in its full intended format. Currently, the only available seat discovered for the 12.30pm showing on Tuesday, 28th July, is priced at £26 through the BFI. Aside from this solitary seat, all other screenings at the BFI IMAX until 10th September are fully booked, prompting opportunistic sellers to turn to platforms such as eBay in hopes of making a profit.

For instance, a live listing on eBay reveals a seller offering two tickets for an 8.30pm showing on Sunday, 30th August, with the current bid standing at £255.50 for the pair. The seller has noted in the description, “Row M best viewing distance.” Another listing presents two tickets available for a ‘buy it now’ price of £208.70 for a screening at 8.15am in Row J, although the specific date for this showing has not been mentioned.

BFI’s Resale Policy and Risks Involved

It is crucial to note that the BFI has issued a stark warning regarding its ticket resale policy. According to their guidelines, tickets cannot be resold for more than 20 per cent above the original face value. Violating this policy may lead to the cancellation of the original booking. Consequently, those considering purchasing tickets from secondary sellers should be acutely aware of the risks involved.

The BFI’s 1.43:1 screen is notably one of the few worldwide capable of showcasing the complete IMAX image, a factor contributing to the soaring demand among film enthusiasts. Fans are reportedly travelling from distant locations such as Singapore, Los Angeles, and Toronto specifically to experience the film at this venue. There are indications that additional screenings may be announced in the coming days or weeks to satisfy the overwhelming interest.

Alternative Screening Options in London

Meanwhile, the Science Museum’s IMAX cinema, known as The Ronson Theatre, still has some tickets available. According to the box office, matinee screenings are on offer from Monday, 24th August to Friday, 28th August. While the September programme remains incomplete, dates for The Odyssey have been confirmed for 4th, 8th, 10th, 12th, and 13th September. A source has suggested that more showings could be added in the forthcoming week. However, the Science Museum is already fully booked for the entirety of July and August.

The Odyssey is an adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic, featuring Matt Damon as 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 with IMAX film cameras. The film has already surpassed the previous BFI IMAX presale record held by Dune: Part Two (2024), which amassed £366,000 in its first 24 hours, and Oppenheimer, which generated £254,000 in the same timeframe, selling 28,000 tickets and accruing £750,000 in gross revenue.

In addition to Damon, the film features a star-studded cast, including Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron. For those eager to catch The Odyssey at the BFI IMAX, new screening dates will be made available on their official website.