Strong China debut cements 'The Odyssey' as biggest IMAX film ever

Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" has become the highest-grossing IMAX film of all time, with a record-breaking opening weekend in China solidifying that status.

A celebration poster for IMAX box office phenomenon "The Odyssey." [Image courtesy of IMAX China]

The film grossed 244 million yuan ($36.2 million) nationwide over the weekend following its Aug. 14 opening in China. It is the first narrative feature shot entirely with IMAX cameras.

IMAX announced Monday the film took in 90 million yuan on IMAX screens during its opening weekend, or 37% of its nationwide box office, on less than 1% of total screens. Including previews, its IMAX gross in China reached 132.3 million yuan, or 46% of the nationwide total.

All box office and index figures mark new IMAX records for a Nolan film in China.

The results lifted "The Odyssey" to $345 million worldwide in IMAX, extending its lead as the highest-grossing IMAX release ever. The film took in another $16 million internationally and $8 million in North America over the weekend. It will remain on IMAX screens worldwide through at least mid-September.

"Chinese audiences continue to be enthralled by the work of Christopher Nolan and his extraordinary ambition as a filmmaker, and they are turning out in droves in IMAX (theaters) for the singular cinematic experience he's created with 'The Odyssey,'" said Daniel Manwaring, CEO of IMAX China. "As we've seen around the world, 'The Odyssey' is becoming a must-see cultural event in China, and we are confident it will have a long and fruitful run as it continues to connect with our passionate, discerning audiences."

Just halfway through the month, IMAX China has already delivered its highest-grossing August, passing the 2025 total with 263 million yuan through the weekend and putting it on track for one of its best summer seasons.

Preview screenings for "The Odyssey" took in 42.3 million yuan at an average occupancy rate of 94%, both records for IMAX China. Every participating IMAX GT location reached 100% occupancy, while virtually every IMAX screening played at or near capacity.

Christopher Nolan works with the newly developed IMAX camera on the set of "The Odyssey." [Photo courtesy of IMAX China]

Nolan, who has worked with IMAX for nearly two decades since "The Dark Knight," shot the epic with a next-generation IMAX camera and sync-sound technology developed by the company. He and cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema worked with IMAX to create "The Keighley" camera and a new sound blimp, and shot 2.1 million feet of IMAX film.

"The Odyssey" has now grossed $1.29 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of Nolan's career. It has pushed his cumulative career worldwide gross past $7.4 billion, placing him behind only James Cameron and Steven Spielberg among directors. Showings on premium large-format screens in China, especially IMAX theaters, continue to sell out.