IMAX has reported a record-breaking summer at the global box office, grossing $728 million worldwide.
This impressive run, from Memorial Day through Labour Day weekends, has been propped up hugely by Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.
The premium format cinema experience smashed its previous record, set in 2023, by 73%.
Moreover, from June through August, IMAX enjoyed its greatest ever share of the global box office: 5.8% of the total on just over 1,800 screens worldwide.
The Odyssey is Nolan’s greatest undertaking, shot entirely on IMAX 70mm.
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Matt Damon and company will continue screening across the 39 worldwide IMAX 70mm theatres until 30 September.
The Greek mythological tale has smashed records.
The Odyssey is the highest-grossing IMAX release of all time, with $485 million grossed across its global network.
“This summer has been one for the history books, as The Odyssey has illuminated a broader awakening around IMAX — in both our impact throughout culture and our commercial potential around the world,” said Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX.
“We believe this moment will unlock new opportunities to engage with our growing legions of fans and grow our business, most immediately with the excellent slate of films ahead this year and into 2027.”
More fun on the horizon for IMAX
IMAX is forecasting $1.4 billion in global box office worldwide for 2026, bolstered by some impressive upcoming releases.
Dune: Part Three, which previews with a short sequence ahead of IMAX 70mm screenings of The Odyssey, has seen impressive pre-sales ahead of its 18 December release.
Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi beat Avengers: Doomsday to IMAX exclusivity, forcing Disney’s Marvel property to adopt a new premium format, Infinity Vision.
IMAX is also looking forward to Zach Cregger’s Resident Evil, Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Digger, Street Fighter, Godzilla Minus Zero and The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth.
Next year, IMAX is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Star Wars, screening George Lucas’ original 1977 film alongside the hotly anticipated Star Wars: Starfighter in IMAX 70mm.
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