Kinepolis extends IMAX ‘The Odyssey’ screenings until end of August

The Kinepolis Brussels IMAX cinema is capitalising on its successful first screenings of Christopher Nolan’s Greek epic-inspired The Odyssey by extending showings until the end of August.

Kinepolis in Heysel sold 15,000 tickets in the first five days for the blockbuster released on 15 July. It details Odysseus’s dangerous voyage back to Ithaca after the Trojan War and stars Matt Damon, Ann Hathaway, Tom Holland and Zendaya.

Half of cinema goers, some 7,000, watched the film in Kinepolis Brussels in the unique 70-millimetre format, the one preferred by the British-American filmmaker.

Nolan’s other blockbuster, the July 2023-released Oppenheimer, recounting how J Robert Oppenheimer helped develop the first nuclear weapons during World War II, attracted only half the number of visitors. This was despite its seven Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor.  

With The Odyssey, though, Nolan achieved the best opening weekend of his career, with takings estimated at $264 million.

Moreover, 10% of the 7,000 movie goers in Brussels came from abroad, Kinepolis country manager box office sales & marketing Stijn Vanspauwen told Bruzz: “They mainly come from neighbouring countries, but there was even someone who came to Brussels from Copenhagen just to see the film in our IMAX theatre.”

Watching the film as intended has been a challenge he noted, as “all 18 screenings in our IMAX hall were fully booked in the first five days and will be almost completely sold out in the coming weeks.

“In total, we have already sold more than 35,000 tickets for the upcoming performances in the IMAX hall,” Vanspauwen said, adding that further screenings could be planned in the following weeks.

Brussels’ IMAX is the only cinema in Belgium, and one of the few in Europe where you can watch the film in this format. Other cinemas use the digital version or 35mm format.

Nolan wanted a new, quieter camera to enhance the clarity and overall sound mix for his new film. Developed by IMAX, the ‘Keighley’ camera’s ability to reduce noise creates a more immersive and intimate film experience.

The director has a personal love for the IMAX film technique, which is dubbed the pinnacle of cinema. Unlike the classic wide, horizontal TV format, it is possible to see much more on the screen with a higher image resolution and more contrast.

Photos: ©2026 Sony Pictures