Odissea Makes IMAX History: Christopher Nolan's Film Sets New Box Office Record

Odissea is rapidly becoming one of the most significant cinematic phenomena of 2026. Christopher Nolan's epic, which premiered on July 17, has officially broken the all-time IMAX box office record, surpassing every film previously released in this premium format. This achievement comes as the adaptation of Homer's work has already crossed the billion-dollar mark globally.

IMAX has reported that Odissea achieved $289 million in global IMAX earnings during its fourth weekend of release, eclipsing the previous record held by Avatar, which stood at approximately $270 million. This statistic is particularly notable given that IMAX revenues account for around 26% of the film's total worldwide earnings thus far.

The result underscores the success of the strategy centered around the cinematic experience. Odissea is the first feature film entirely shot with IMAX film cameras, and Nolan has made this technical aspect a central element of the film's promotion. Audiences appear to view IMAX not merely as a pricier option but as the preferred format for experiencing the film.

Nolan's Transformation of IMAX into a Cinematic Experience

The figures indicate that the phenomenon extends beyond mere commercial success. During its fourth weekend, Odissea garnered an additional $52 million in IMAX theaters worldwide, marking four consecutive weekends above the $50 million threshold. No other film in the circuit has managed to achieve that feat even for two weekends in a row.

Moreover, the performance of the IMAX 70mm screenings is particularly striking. Just 41 screens collectively generated $37.5 million, with the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles setting the record for the highest earnings from a single film at one IMAX location.

IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond celebrated the achievement, extending congratulations to Christopher Nolan, producer Emma Thomas, Universal, and the entire film team, emphasizing that the performances have exceeded even the high initial expectations. The record may still have room to grow, as the film is slated to remain in IMAX theaters at least until September 17, with releases still pending in significant markets like China and Japan.

With $289 million, Odissea has already outpaced Avatar ($270 million), Avatar: The Way of Water ($259 million), Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($214 million), and Avengers: Endgame ($207 million). Another film by Nolan, Oppenheimer, also appears in the Top 10, with approximately $183 million.

This achievement is even more impressive considering the competition from Spider-Man: Brand New Day. The latest MCU film hit theaters two weeks after Odissea and managed to reach a billion dollars globally before Nolan's epic. However, the results in the IMAX arena tell a different story.

Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this new record is how Nolan has progressively transformed the cinematic format itself into an integral part of the event: watching one of his films in IMAX is no longer just a technical enhancement but a fundamental aspect of the work. With Odissea, this strategy seems to have reached its pinnacle, demonstrating that even in the age of major franchises, the format and theater experience can become powerful commercial drivers.