The Odyssey Returns to IMAX: Christopher Nolan’s $1.76 Billion Epic Gets a Second Big-Screen Run
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is heading back to the biggest screens.
After becoming a global box-office phenomenon and crossing approximately $1.76 billion worldwide, Nolan's epic will return to select IMAX theaters and 70mm screens beginning October 9, 2026. Universal's announcement gives audiences another opportunity to experience the film in the premium formats for which it was specifically engineered.
The Odyssey returns to select IMAX theaters and 70mm screens beginning October 9, 2026. The re-release follows a record-breaking theatrical run that made the film Universal Pictures' highest-grossing movie ever and the highest-grossing IMAX release in history.
The Odyssey's Historic Theatrical Run
When The Odyssey opened on July 17, 2026, it was positioned as more than another blockbuster. Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Homer's ancient epic was built as a theatrical event, with large-format photography playing a central role in the filmmaking process.
The film went on to exceed expectations at virtually every stage of its theatrical run. Universal announced in September that the movie had passed $1.677 billion worldwide, overtaking 2015's Jurassic World to become the studio's highest-grossing film ever. By October, its worldwide total had reached approximately $1.76 billion.
Universal's New Box-Office Champion
The milestone is particularly significant because Jurassic World had held Universal's worldwide record since 2015 with approximately $1.677 billion. The Odyssey passed that figure during its ninth weekend and continued climbing.
Universal also reported that the film became the 12th-highest-grossing film worldwide at the time of the September milestone and the third-biggest non-franchise title in box-office history.
Why The Odyssey Is Returning to IMAX
The answer is simple: audiences kept showing up for the large-format experience.
IMAX Corporation reported that The Odyssey became the highest-grossing IMAX release of all time during its original run. By September, the film had generated $485 million in IMAX box-office revenue, helping IMAX achieve its biggest summer ever.
That performance gives the October re-release a very different purpose from a conventional theatrical encore. The movie is returning specifically to the format that helped turn it into one of 2026's biggest cinematic events.
The IMAX Return Begins October 9
Universal has announced that select IMAX theaters will begin screening The Odyssey again from October 9, 2026. The re-release also includes select 70mm engagements, giving film fans another opportunity to see Nolan's epic in a rare large-format presentation.
Availability will vary by theater, country and projection format, so audiences should check their local IMAX listings before making plans.
BFI IMAX Is Bringing It Back in 70mm
One of the most notable venues is London's BFI IMAX, where The Odyssey is scheduled for 70mm screenings beginning October 9. Current listings show screenings running through October 20. The venue describes itself as one of the few IMAX cinemas capable of projecting IMAX films on 70mm.
The BFI IMAX has already established a special connection with the film. It hosted Nolan's world premiere and became the venue's highest-grossing film during its original run.
Why IMAX 70mm Matters for The Odyssey
The Odyssey was designed around large-format presentation from the beginning. IMAX Corporation described it as the first theatrical release shot entirely with IMAX 70mm film cameras, using new camera technology developed for the production.
The result is a movie that can dramatically expand its visual canvas on compatible IMAX screens. Instead of treating premium large format as an afterthought, Nolan and cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema built the film around the physical scale of the image.
That becomes particularly significant during the movie's enormous action and landscape sequences: ancient battlefields, open seas, mythological encounters and the long journey of Odysseus all benefit from the additional visual scale.
A 172-Minute Epic Built for the Big Screen
The Odyssey runs for approximately 172 minutes, or 2 hours and 52 minutes. It follows Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, on his dangerous journey home to Ithaca following the Trojan War.
The ensemble includes Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o and Charlize Theron, among others. Nolan wrote and directed the film and produced it alongside Emma Thomas through Syncopy.
What Audiences Can Expect From the October Re-Release
The most obvious difference is scale. A film that already demands a large screen becomes an entirely different experience when projected through an IMAX system, particularly in the rare theaters capable of showing the original 70mm presentation.
For repeat viewers, the re-release offers a chance to revisit specific sequences with greater attention to Nolan's composition, practical filmmaking and sound design. For anyone who missed the film's premium-format run, it could also be the last realistic opportunity to see the movie in its intended large-format environment on a wide selection of screens.
IMAX 70mm vs IMAX with Laser
Not every returning screening will necessarily use 70mm film. IMAX's theater listings include both film and digital IMAX presentations, while venues such as BFI IMAX and IMAX Melbourne have confirmed 70mm engagements.
That means viewers should check the exact presentation listed by their theater. If a listing specifically says IMAX 70mm, it indicates a film projection rather than an IMAX with Laser presentation.
The Odyssey's Biggest Box-Office Records
| Record | Milestone |
|---|---|
| Universal Worldwide | Highest-grossing Universal film of all time, surpassing Jurassic World. |
| IMAX | Highest-grossing IMAX release in history. |
| R-Rated | Highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. |
| Christopher Nolan | Highest-grossing film of Nolan's career. |
| International | First non-sequel, non-remake film to surpass $1 billion internationally since 2009. |
Universal's own September announcement listed all of these milestones among the film's record-breaking achievements.
Where Can You See The Odyssey Again?
The October return is a select-theater engagement, not a universal nationwide re-release in every cinema. IMAX's official movie listing provides participating locations, while individual theaters are publishing their own dates and formats.
Confirmed examples include BFI IMAX in London and IMAX Melbourne, both of which have listings for IMAX 70mm screenings beginning October 9.
In the United States, 70mm and IMAX engagements are also appearing at selected venues, but schedules can change quickly. The safest approach is to check the official IMAX theater finder or your local cinema before purchasing tickets.
The Odyssey does not need a second theatrical life to prove its success. It has already crossed $1.76 billion worldwide and broken Universal, IMAX and R-rated box-office records. Its October return is instead a celebration of the format that helped make it a cinematic event in the first place.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does The Odyssey return to IMAX?
The Odyssey returns to select IMAX theaters beginning October 9, 2026.
Will The Odyssey be shown in 70mm again?
Yes. Select theaters are scheduling IMAX 70mm presentations for the October return, including BFI IMAX in London and IMAX Melbourne.
How much has The Odyssey made worldwide?
The film has crossed approximately $1.76 billion worldwide, according to the latest reports following its record-breaking theatrical run.
Is The Odyssey the highest-grossing Universal movie?
Yes. Universal announced in September that the film had surpassed Jurassic World to become the studio's highest-grossing movie worldwide before inflation adjustment.
Was The Odyssey filmed entirely with IMAX cameras?
Yes. IMAX describes The Odyssey as the first feature film shot entirely using IMAX film cameras, with the production using new IMAX technology developed for the movie.
How long is The Odyssey?
The Odyssey has a runtime of approximately 172 minutes, or 2 hours and 52 minutes.