If you tried to buy an IMAX ticket this past weekend and were met with a sea of gray “sold out” seats, you aren’t alone. Christopher Nolan’s mythic action-epic The Odyssey is turning moviegoing into an around-the-clock cultural event. As a result, AMC Theatres is reaping record-breaking rewards.
All hail Chris Nolan. As of weekend two in theatres, The Odyssey is now up to a media-reported $286 million domestic box office gross. And $640 million at the worldwide box office.
— Adam Aron (@CEOAdam) July 27, 2026
AMC’s IMAX screens had their all-time highest ever two weekend gross for a single movie title! pic.twitter.com/2WtwBI1Sxs
Following a massive $124.5 million domestic debut, the ancient Greek blockbuster held remarkably strong in its second weekend. To be clear, it hauled in a stunning $87 million domestically. That pushes its North American total to roughly $286 million. Also, $640 million global total through July 26.
And the biggest driving force behind these Trojan horse-sized numbers? IMAX.
The Ultimate Movie Marathon: 3 A.M. Screenings Sell Out
Moviegoers aren’t just flocking to theaters—they’re setting middle-of-the-night alarms for them.
For the second straight weekend, AMC’s flagship Lincoln Square 13 theater in New York City ran IMAX 70mm showtimes 24 hours a day, continuously from Friday through Sunday. Yes, people were voluntarily sitting down for a nearly three-hour mythological epic at 3:15 a.m.—and loving every minute of it.
From July 16 through July 26, AMC recorded the highest IMAX revenue in its company history for any film over its first two weekends. Given that AMC operates roughly half of all IMAX screens across the United States, that isn’t just a win for Nolan. It’s a historic landmark for the entire theatrical industry.
“Christopher Nolan, his cast and crew along with Universal Pictures have created a brilliant cinematic event that audiences clearly want to experience in the most immersive formats available,” AMC Chairman and CEO Adam Aron said in a statement. “The historic performance of The Odyssey in IMAX at AMC reinforces without doubt our strategy of offering moviegoers superb, technology-advanced and immersive theatrical experiences.”
The Magic of IMAX 70mm
Why are cinephiles losing their minds over this release? The Odyssey isn’t just formatted for large screens—it holds the distinction of being the first feature film shot entirely on IMAX film cameras.
For purists, seeing a director like Nolan—alongside stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, and Anne Hathaway—projected via true physical IMAX 70mm film is the absolute pinnacle of cinematic viewing. The demand has been so intense that many AMC locations with 70mm capability are completely booked out through mid-August.
The good news? AMC confirmed it is actively collaborating with Universal Pictures and IMAX to squeeze additional 70mm showtimes into screen schedules wherever humanly possible.
The Verdict
This is an era dominated by streaming queues and short attention spans. However, Nolan has done it again. The ‘Inception’ director has made moviegoing an unmissable, full-contact event. Whether you catch a standard screening or brave a 2:00 a.m. IMAX 70mm showtime, one thing is clear—The Odyssey has officially claimed the box office crown for the summer.
