The Odyssey has Christopher Nolan fans traveling hundreds of miles to see it the right way

Published Jul 20, 2026, 12:55 PM EDT

As laid out by the film’s website, IMAX 70mm creates a unique viewing experience because it’s projected at a 1.43:1 aspect ratio, which is significantly taller than the more standard, rectangular ratio that most theaters project. Essentially, those who view the movie in this format will very literally see more of the movie, with the frame extending vertically to reveal the full shot. The Odyssey is the first feature-length film ever shot entirely in IMAX, a feat made possible by the newly designed Keighley camera, a lighter, less cumbersome method of filming in the format.

While many are now scrambling to see the film in IMAX 70mm and other formats following its glowing reception, some took a leap of faith, making long journeys to one of the few theaters in the world capable of projecting in its most exclusive format for its opening weekend. The New York Times interviewed several of these Nolan fans. One viewer took a nearly 300-mile journey involving a car, bus, and train from Ocala, Florida, to Fort Lauderdale. Some flew across national lines, with a viewer describing their trip from Italy to the British Film Institute’s IMAX theater in London. Another described a 12-hour road trip from Brookings, South Dakota to Regina, Saskatchewan.

In an interview with Variety, a woman described delaying a potential pregnancy to avoid interfering with watching the film. “One of my friends got pregnant last year, and she’s like, ‘OK, it’s time for you to have your second child,’” said Amber Connaghan, a 29-year-old tech editor. “I was like, ‘No, I have to wait a few months. Otherwise, it’s going to be too close to ‘The Odyssey.’” In another case of impressive devotion, a 33-year-old attorney from New York bought 18 tickets at New York City’s AMC Lincoln Square to see it in IMAX 70mm several times over the next three weeks.

While diehards have been rewarded for their foresight, others have taken to joking and/or lamenting about the fact that they have no way to see the movie in IMAX 70mm without spending large amounts on travel. IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond recently explained that while they would love to get more theaters capable of showing the film in the format, he believes it's just not "practical."

Even beyond the true believers, The Odyssey has opened to great fanfare, earning $124.5 million at the domestic box office and $139.6 million internationally in its opening weekend (for $264.1 million total). It’s the biggest worldwide opening of Nolan’s career and the third-biggest opening of the year behind only Toy Story 5 ($312 million) and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie ($372.5 million).

The film has received near-unanimous praise from both critics and audiences alike. Among its strengths are its epic scope, fascinating spin on the Greek concept of xenia, and a third act that leads to one of the best moments in recent cinematic history.