July 15, 2026, 12:54 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Since “Batman Begins” in 2005, it’s always a major event when a new Christopher Nolan film hits theaters. His works appeal to both the spectacle-craving masses and film art enthusiasts. Now, with “The Odyssey,” his most ambitious project to date is launching, and fans are going to great lengths for it.
Hunt for 70mm Screenings of “The Odyssey”
Nolan’s films have long been elaborate productions with intellectual depth and top-notch craftsmanship. While most viewers are simply amazed and entertained, cinephiles especially appreciate his authentic and as analog as possible approach. Sure, there are always digital effects. But Nolan shoots a lot outdoors, on location, and with real film reels. He’s one of the few who still does this at blockbuster level.
And for “The Odyssey,” he has taken it a step further, as the film is the first in history to be shot entirely with IMAX film cameras, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. For this purpose, the filmmaker had new cameras developed that are significantly lighter and, above all, quieter than previous models.
This also means that Nolan is once again releasing his film in theaters on 70mm film alongside regular digital copies. The problem, as with his previous works and those of other directors, is that there are only a few theaters worldwide that are technically capable of playing 70mm copies. They offer by far the best picture quality and accurately reflect the artistic intent.
Here, the familiar principle of supply and demand kicks in again–and a race for the coveted tickets for these screenings has been underway for some time. For the film experience, some fans are willing to travel great distances, even putting family planning on hold.
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The U.S. trade magazine Variety reports on 29-year-old Amber Connaghan, who bought her ticket a year ago and only has to drive three hours to the theater. When a friend asked her mother about a possible second child, she replied that she would have to wait a few months to get pregnant. Otherwise, the birth would be too close to the release of “The Odyssey.”
In the U.S., it’s almost commonplace for film fans to travel to other states for this. Tim McHugh and his brother are even flying across the country–from the East Coast to the West Coast, nearly 2,500 miles from Pittsburgh to Los Angeles.
One Ticket? Far Too Few!
The rush for tickets, especially in the U.S., is so great that even 2 a.m. screenings are selling well. For many, the experience was similar to trying to buy concert tickets for a major artist–websites that didn’t function properly under the enormous load and people frantically refreshing their browsers.
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Some went empty-handed, while others were particularly successful: One fan booked 18 screenings. Some were lucky enough to work or live near a suitable theater and walked to the box office in person.
“The Odyssey” will be released in German theaters on July 16, 2026. There are only a few locations in Germany that offer 70mm film screenings.