Advance booking frenzy: Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey fills major screens a year before release

Still from The Odyssey

Christopher Nolan's upcoming film The Odyssey is already making waves. An adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek epic, the film marks Nolan's next directorial venture after the blockbuster success of Oppenheimer in 2023. Although its release is still a year away, Universal Pictures has already opened advance bookings and yes, you heard that right! Bookings for select IMAX screenings are now live and receiving a tremendous response.

IMAX opens advance bookings for The Odyssey

On Thursday, tickets for select IMAX shows of The Odyssey went live in the USA. The official IMAX social media handle listed the available screens, all of which are IMAX 70mm, Nolan's signature format. The Odyssey is set to hit cinemas on July 17, 2026.

Given the frenzy around Nolan's films, it's not surprising that several screens began to fill up within minutes of ticket sales going live. In fact, some users took to social media to express disappointment over not being able to secure seats at their preferred IMAX locations.

Update on Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey

Filming for the movie is currently underway. Recently, Matt Damon, Tom Holland, and Zendaya were spotted back on set in Scotland.

Damon (54), Holland (29), and Zendaya (28) were seen spending time on set, reports People magazine. While engaged couple Holland and Zendaya arrived separately via a small boat (and not in costume), Damon, who plays the film's lead, Odysseus - was seen waving to photographers while dressed in full costume. His look included dark boots, an ancient Greek-style tunic, detailed cattle armor, and a flowing dark green cape.

According to People, this marks the first time in recent months the trio has been photographed filming on location. They were previously seen in Favignana, Italy, back in March, where Damon drew attention for his transformed physique to portray the legendary Greek hero.

A teaser for The Odyssey premiered exclusively in theaters ahead of Jurassic World: Rebirth. The teaser featured Holland as Telemachus, the son of Odysseus, in a conversation with a character played by Jon Bernthal, along with the voice of John Leguizamo, whose role remains undisclosed.