The Odyssey, Christopher Nolan's latest film, has not finished its run in theaters. Universal Studios has confirmed that the film will return to select IMAX theaters and venues equipped with 70mm format starting October 9.
The announcement comes at a key moment, after the film starring Matt Damon set new box office milestones week after week. Its return to premium formats allows those who could not see it on the big screen to enjoy it exactly as it was conceived.
An extraordinary commercial run
The Odyssey has grossed $1.76 billion worldwide, a figure that makes it the highest-grossing film in Universal's history, not adjusted for inflation.
During its ninth weekend in theaters, the production surpassed the $1.67 billion that Jurassic World had achieved in 2015, thus snatching that historic record from the studio.
The most successful film in Nolan’s career
With that revenue, The Odyssey also becomes the highest-grossing title in Christopher Nolan's entire filmography, surpassing even the inflation-adjusted figure of The Dark Knight Rises.
In addition, the film has been recognized as the highest-grossing R-rated film in history and as the highest-grossing title in IMAX format, a fact that explains why Universal is now betting on returning it to those theaters.
The third major $1 billion milestone for Nolan
The Odyssey is the third Christopher Nolan film to surpass $1 billion at the global box office. The first was The Dark Knight, which reached that figure 18 years ago and at the time became the first superhero film to do so.
One of the most striking facts about this phenomenon is that The Odyssey is the first production that is not a sequel or remake, since Avatar in 2010, to gross more than $1 billion outside the United States and Canada. That result confirms the strong international appeal that Nolan maintains among audiences in major film markets.
Universal celebrates the phenomenon
Donna Langley, chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment, highlighted the reach achieved by Nolan and producer Emma Thomas. In her words, what both have created will go down in history as one of the most ambitious and well-executed films in cinema.
Langley went so far as to describe the film as a generational event capable of revitalizing the movie-going experience.
A collaboration that continues to grow
The Odyssey continues the professional relationship between Nolan and Universal, which began five years ago after the director's departure from Warner Bros., a studio where he worked for more than a decade. That new stage began with the production of Oppenheimer and now reaches a new dimension with this release.
As long as the film continues to attract audiences, Universal does not seem to be in a hurry to pull it from theaters. The return to IMAX and 70mm starting October 9 offers a new opportunity to see it in the format for which it was intended.
Frequently asked questions
When does The Odyssey return to IMAX theaters?
Universal has confirmed that the film will return to a selection of IMAX theaters and 70mm format cinemas starting October 9.
How much has The Odyssey grossed at the global box office?
The film has reached $1.76 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film in Universal's history.
Is The Odyssey Christopher Nolan’s highest-grossing film?
Yes, its revenue exceeds any other title directed by Nolan, including the inflation-adjusted figure of The Dark Knight Rises.
What records has The Odyssey broken?
The film has surpassed Universal's historic global box office record, has become the highest-grossing R-rated film in history, and is the highest-grossing film in IMAX format.
Who stars in The Odyssey?
The film stars Matt Damon and is directed by Christopher Nolan, with Emma Thomas as producer.
Why is The Odyssey returning to theaters now?
Universal is looking to capitalize on the momentum of a historic box office phenomenon and offer one last chance to see it in the premium formats for which it was conceived.
