The British Film Institute’s Imax cinema in London set a new record for first-day ticket sales with Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, The Odyssey. The venue sold 28,000 tickets within the first 24 hours after sales opened, earning £750,000 in revenue. This passes all previous first-day sales records for the UK’s largest screen, showing strong demand for the film.
Ticket sales for The Odyssey started on June 15, 2026, almost a month before the film’s release on July 17, 2026. The ticket sell-through was faster than any previous event at the BFI Imax, which often hosts major films in advanced formats. This first sale overtook the previous record held by Dune: Part Two, which earned £366,000 on its first day, and it also beat the sales for Nolan’s 2023 film, Oppenheimer, which made £254,000 in its first 24 hours.
The success of The Odyssey at BFI Imax goes beyond just ticket numbers. The film has attracted a lot of attention for its production style and cast. It is the first movie shot entirely with Imax 70mm film using Imax cameras, providing audiences a more immersive and unique visual experience. Nolan, known for his technical work and complex stories, directs this retelling of Odysseus’s trip home after the Trojan War.
The story follows Odysseus, king of Ithaca, through trials involving mythical creatures like the Cyclops Polyphemus, the Sirens, the nymph Calypso, and the witch goddess Circe. It shows the dangers he faces as he tries to return to Penelope, his wife, who deals with suitors trying to marry her by unraveling a wedding shroud each night. The cast includes Matt Damon as Odysseus, with Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron in supporting roles.
In the United States, The Odyssey also had strong pre-sale numbers for premium large-format tickets more than a year before release. Early sales reached about 150,000 tickets and brought in around $3.4 million within the first 24 hours. This high demand caused ticket sites to slow down and caused resale prices to go up to $1,500 per ticket.
The format and star cast, along with Nolan’s reputation, add to The Odyssey’s strong sales before its release. The BFI Imax, known for its large capacity and advanced technology, had set a record in 2023 with Oppenheimer. That film had the highest opening weekend box office for any screen in the UK, making over £200,000 that weekend and ending with £2.2 million in total sales at BFI Imax.
The recent sales records show a growing trend where early ticket purchases are a clear measure of a film’s commercial appeal. The Odyssey’s sales so far are higher than recent big films at the same venue, suggesting more consumers want to book premium viewing in advance.
Interest in early tickets for big films is also clear from searches for titles like Spider-Man. Common queries include “Spider-Man tickets 2026,” “Spider-Man tickets presale,” and “Spider-Man tickets release date.” These searches show wide interest in when tickets become available for major releases.
Fans know that buying tickets early at places like BFI Imax guarantees a chance to see films on the UK’s largest screen, which usually has better picture and sound quality. The Odyssey’s ticket sales confirm this venue’s role in showing premium films in the UK.
By selling 28,000 tickets and making £750,000 on its first day, The Odyssey sets a new bar for film anticipation and early sales. These numbers confirm BFI Imax as a top location for major film events in the UK. With its format, director, and cast, The Odyssey is set to be a major release when it comes out on July 17, 2026.
