The Odyssey is the first feature film to be shot entirely on IMAX 1570 cameras, but only 41 cinemas in the world can show it as director Christopher Nolan intended – and just two are in London
14:28, 15 Jul 2026Updated 14:48, 15 Jul 2026
Matt Damon (centre) stars in The Odyssey(Image: Universal Studios/Melinda Sue Gordon. All Rights Reserved)
There are just 41 cinemas across the globe that can view Christopher Nolan’s sweeping Greek epic The Odyssey as he filmed it – and only two of those are in London.
The production, which is poised to be one of the must-see cinematic spectacles of 2026, boasts an impressive ensemble.
Matt Damon takes on the role of Odysseus, Anna Hathaway portraying his wife Penelope, and a stellar supporting line-up featuring Tom Holland, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Robert Pattinson and Lupita Nyong’o.
The film is scheduled to arrive in UK cinemas on Friday (July 17). However, only 41 venues worldwide possess the capability to screen the picture as the British director intended, with merely two of those located in London.
Nolan has consistently championed IMAX 1570 film, which represents the highest-resolution film format available. This format derives its name from the film stock’s width (70mm) and the 15 perforations present on each frame.
The Odyssey promises to be one of 2026’s major film events(Image: Universal Studios/Melinda Sue Gordon. All Rights Reserved)
The Odyssey, which has garnered predominantly favourable critical reception, marks the first feature-length production captured entirely using 1570 cameras, reports the Express.
This presents an arduous undertaking, as the cameras are exceptionally heavy, noisy and demand constant reloading. The film stock required changing every three minutes throughout production, which spanned locations including Morocco, Greece, Italy, Scotland, Iceland, Western Sahara and Malta.
The production team also utilised the Universal Studios Lot in Los Angeles.
Nolan collaborated with IMAX to engineer a soundproofing ‘blimp’ to encase the 180kg camera, rendering it sufficiently quiet for recording dialogue on the 1570 format. This represented the first occasion such a feat had been undertaken.
However, 1570 is outdated technology, with the majority of cinemas having made the switch to digital approximately a decade ago. As a result, there are now just 41 cinemas worldwide still equipped to project the format.
Christopher Nolan, pictured with his wife and producer Emma Thomas(Image: Getty Images)
Film enthusiasts are consequently travelling considerable distances to ensure they experience The Odyssey exactly as legendary director Nolan envisioned it.
The film centres on Odysseus, the legendary king of Ithaca and protagonist of Homer’s Odyssey, one of his two great epic poems.
It charts his lengthy and treacherous voyage home after the Trojan War, documenting his confrontations with mythological creatures including the Cyclops Polyphemus, Sirens and the nymph Calypso. He is driven by a desperate desire to be reunited with his wife, Penelope.
After the decade-long Trojan War, Odysseus spends a further 10 years attempting to reach home, during which time all his crew members perish and he is believed to be dead. His wife and son Telemachus must deal with troublesome suitors vying for Penelope’s hand in marriage.
The BFI IMAX is considered one of the UK’s top cinemas(Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
Nolan stands as one of the 21st century’s most distinguished filmmakers. His body of work includes Inception, Oppenheimer, Dunkirk, The Dark Knight Batman trilogy and Memento.
He has received eight Oscar nominations, securing Best Picture and Best Director for the sweeping biographical thriller Oppenheimer.
These are the only two cinemas in London where audiences can view The Odyssey on 1570.
BFI IMAX
The cinema, owned by the British Film Institute, sits near Waterloo Station in central London. The screen is the largest in Britain, standing 20m high and 26m wide.
It has a seating capacity of 500 and a 14,000W (19hp) digital surround sound system.
It is designed specifically to offer the most immersive movie-watching experience possible.
The Science Museum(Image: Getty Images)
Science Museum IMAX
The IMAX at the Science Museum, in South Kensington, London, is widely regarded as one of the best locations in Europe to watch blockbuster releases.
The venue, called The Ronson Theatre, has a 400-seat capacity with comfortable modern seating.
It features a massive screen measuring 24.3 metres wide by 16.8 metres high, displaying the immersive 1.43:1 aspect ratio that offers up to 40% more image than standard cinemas.