# "The Odyssey": How important is it to see it in 70mm IMAX? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [July 24, 2026, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890 "2026-07-24T01:16:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890/1 "2026-07-24T01:16:33Z")
I have a few choices for IMAX in Chicago but only one is 70mm IMAX and it is a long(ish) drive for me to get to (90 minutes give or take). I have seen it written that, if possible, definitely see it in 70mm IMAX. However, much closer I have options for “regular” 70mm (not IMAX) or IMAX laser. Any opinions on this? I’m not sure. ---
**Author:** ![Dorjan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorjan/32/12440_2.png) [@Dorjan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorjan)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890/2 "2026-07-24T01:22:29Z")
IMO if not IMAX 70mm the next best format is 70mm film. It’s at least still actual film. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890/3 "2026-07-24T01:30:01Z")
I put my thoughts here in the one of the other threads: > [@Plan to see Nolan's The Odyssey this weekend](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plan-to-see-nolans-the-odyssey-this-weekend/1031722/59): > > I don’t watch many IMAX films, but I heard that it is highly recommended that this film be seen in the IMAX format. There are two theaters in my state (Connecticut) that supposedly have IMAX screens. Then I saw this thread and the helpful YouTube video above explaining the difference between the different IMAX formats and quickly realized that the theater I was going to see it in was a retrofitted “LieMAX” screen. In fact, it was the lowest quality 2K IMAX Digital Xenon with a relatively small s… As I indicated in that thread, after some switching around, I’m scheduled to see it in an “IMAX with Laser” showing next week (with a hopefully really good seat right in the center). It’s also being shown in 70mm IMAX about 1-1/2 hours from my house, but every showing there is sold out (other than a seat or two in the front row). Since I posted this, I saw _Toy Story 5_ at the local theater, and then popped into the adjacent theater afterwards and saw the last act of _The Odyssey_ on a regular movie screen as kind of a preview. (I figured I couldn’t spoil myself considering the story is 2700 years old.) It looked fine and not too cropped. I’ll let you know next week how much better the second-tier IMAX version is. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890/4 "2026-07-24T02:15:44Z")
FWIW I asked my AI to rank the AMC offerings from best to worst. AI so grain of salt and this may be different at other theaters. The AMC nearest to me has four different kinds of theaters showing the movie (21 screens…big theater). I could not get into a 70mm showing so doing Dolby Cinema which seems a close second (could be better but in this case I think 70mm would have been better given the movie was made for it). AI ANSWER — 1. **70mm** — Actual film projection, not digital. Highest resolution and a distinct organic look with real grain. Rare, only used for specific titles (Nolan, Tarantino, PTA). When available for a film shot on it, nothing beats it — but sound is usually good, not exceptional, and prints can show wear. 2. **Dolby Cinema at AMC** — Dual 4K laser projectors with Dolby Vision HDR (true blacks, extreme contrast), Dolby Atmos object-based sound, black-out interior, recliners with bass transducers. The best overall _engineered_ experience and the most consistent premium format AMC offers. 3. **PRIME at AMC** — AMC’s in-house premium large format: larger screen, 4K laser projection, Dolby Atmos, upgraded seating. Essentially a step below Dolby Cinema — bigger screen than a standard house, but without Dolby Vision HDR or the fully light-controlled room. 4. **Laser at AMC** — A standard auditorium upgraded to laser projection (brighter, more consistent than xenon lamp). Screen size and sound are normal-auditorium; the only premium element is the projector. Caveats: 70mm depends heavily on whether the film was actually shot/finished in that format and on print condition. If it’s a digitally shot movie getting a 70mm blow-up, Dolby Cinema is the better pick. Dolby Cinema is also the safest default if you don’t want to think about it. ---
**Author:** ![robby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robby/32/11048_2.png) [@robby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robby)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890/5 "2026-07-24T03:02:05Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > FWIW I asked my AI to rank the AMC offerings from best to worst. You might get a more useful result if you ask the AI to rank the configurations specifically “_for The Odyssey_.” This makes it consider aspect ratios. Also see the links I posted in the other thread I referenced in my last post. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890/6 "2026-07-24T03:06:31Z")
I did as you suggested and here is its answer. The recommendation for what I have available at my local theater did not change though. I did have 70mm which would have been nice but there were no seats left for when I could go. AI ANSWER — Yes, significantly. If the film was shot on IMAX 70mm cameras, the format hierarchy for it is: 1. **IMAX 70mm (1.43:1 film)** — the native format. Only a handful of venues worldwide. If you can reach one, it’s not close. 2. **IMAX Laser (digital, 1.90:1)** — next best; taller image than any non-IMAX screen. 3. **70mm (standard, 5-perf, 2.20:1)** — real film, but cropped from the IMAX frame. Still excellent and still film. 4. **Dolby Cinema** — best digital presentation available at a typical AMC, but locked to a wider/shorter aspect ratio, so you lose the tall IMAX framing. Of the four you listed, plain **70mm** moves up to the clear pick, with Dolby Cinema second. PRIME and Laser drop further behind, since the whole point of this release is image capture quality and aspect ratio, which those don’t preserve. One thing worth checking before you commit: I don’t have current information on _The Odyssey_’s release details — which formats were actually struck, and whether your AMC’s 70mm house is running the standard 5-perf print or something else. Theater listings usually specify. Want me to look it up? ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890/7 "2026-07-24T04:03:30Z")
I worked for 37 years in the IMAX business, and expressed my considered opinion in several posts in that other thread. Other people had different opinions. > [@Plan to see Nolan's The Odyssey this weekend](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plan-to-see-nolans-the-odyssey-this-weekend/1031722/4): > > If you are near any of the theaters on the list at [this link](https://www.imax.com/news/the-odyssey-in-imax-70mm-film), I urge you to try to see it in IMAX 70mm film, because it is the first feature film that has been shot 100% on IMAX film. (I’m going on Aug. 1 in Providence, RI.) There are only 41 theaters worldwide, 25 in the US, nine in Canada, three in the UK, and one each in Australia, Belgium, Czech Republic, and France. If you can go, buy your tickets soon, because many shows are already sold out. If you can’t get to IMAX 70mm film, look for… > [@Plan to see Nolan's The Odyssey this weekend](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plan-to-see-nolans-the-odyssey-this-weekend/1031722/18): > > If by smaller you mean standard 70mm, yes, the screen will be shorter because of the aspect ratio, and probably narrower, unless your local 70mm theater is a former palace with a 60-foot or wider screen. But despite that, 70mm film has higher resolution than any digital IMAX system. And IMO, the film experience is better. Nolan shot the film with all formats in mind, especially standard 70mm, so it won’t be framed “wrong” in the 2.20 ratio, just different. The third-best experience the dual-la… > [@Plan to see Nolan's The Odyssey this weekend](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plan-to-see-nolans-the-odyssey-this-weekend/1031722/23): > > Yeah, in Nolan’s first IMAX film, he didn’t quite realize how obvious makeup would look on the giant screen. [[image] ](https://www.denofgeek.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Heath-Ledger-as-the-Joker-in-The-Dark-Knight.jpg?resize=768%2C432) But seriously, I think even a non-film buff can tell the difference between IMAX film, which has a resolution estimated at between 16 and 18K, and IMAX GT Laser, which is maybe a little better than 4K. If you have the opportunity, I recommend IMAX film. Nolan knows better than any fillmaker living how his images will appear on sc… > [@Plan to see Nolan's The Odyssey this weekend](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plan-to-see-nolans-the-odyssey-this-weekend/1031722/58): > > Okay, I think I see our confusion. Much depends on the specific theater in question, of course, but IME most theaters equipped with a standard (non-IMAX) 70mm projector are not the usual small multiplex screens. Many, if not most, are in older classic cinemas like the late, great [Uptown](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uptown_Theater_(Washington,_D.C.)) in Washington, DC (1936-2020), which had a deeply curved screen 70 by 40 feet (21 by 12 m). It was the largest in the DC metro area, except for the Smithsonian’s IMAX theaters. In more modern theaters, the 70mm… > [@Plan to see Nolan's The Odyssey this weekend](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/plan-to-see-nolans-the-odyssey-this-weekend/1031722/64): > > I think you’ll be happy with that. You might also look for a Dolby Cinema screen. It may not be quite as large as the IMAX with Laser, but the dynamic range is much better. It’s very likely that many theaters will extend the run of the film, if they haven’t already, so more screenings may open up later into August. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890/8 "2026-07-24T04:12:11Z")
If you have the ability to see the film in 70mm IMAX and can actually _get_ a ticket, meaning they are not all sold out, no question see it in that format! Honestly a 90 min drive isn’t that bad considering how long people have traveled to see it at my local 70mm IMAX (Lincoln Square.) For my second viewing I watched it in Dolby and it was incredible there too. I did not feel like I was missing anything, though it did feel more “epic” on the huge massive screen since you really get the giant scale for big wide shots. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890/9 "2026-07-24T12:51:19Z")
There was a bunch of Fox people decrying the casting. One guy was mad that they were “rewriting history” 😀 ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890/10 "2026-07-24T12:55:27Z")
[Moderating] I don’t think that has anything to do with the aspect ratio, resolution, or any other aspect of the cinematography for which the projection format would be relevant. As such, it’d be off-topic for this thread, but would be fine in any broader thread about this movie (of which we have at least one). ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890/11 "2026-07-24T20:41:16Z")
I saw it in a regular theater and it looked great, but it was a bit loud. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890/12 "2026-07-24T21:47:05Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Honestly a 90 min drive isn’t that bad considering how long people have traveled to see it at my local 70mm IMAX (Lincoln Square.) Lincoln Square in Chicago??? ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890/13 "2026-07-24T22:11:55Z")
The “local” 70mm IMAX is booked clear through – I can get a ticket if I want the front row at 8am on a Tuesday three weeks from now (not an exaggeration, I looked). As such, I’m seeing it in “regular” 1.90 ratio IMAX on Sunday and not worrying about what I can’t have. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2026, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890/14 "2026-07-24T22:18:03Z")
I’ve looked at bookings for the only theater in the area showing it in 70mm. Between now and the last listing they have, in late August, there are only first or second row seats available. Too bad. I would have loved to see it in the biggest forrmat. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890/15 "2026-07-25T00:49:15Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Honestly a 90 min drive isn’t that bad considering how long people have traveled to see it Odysseus himself traveled for 10 years to see the whole thing. ---
**Author:** ![bodangus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c37758/32.png) [@bodangus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bodangus)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890/16 "2026-07-25T02:07:10Z")
The only option I have for 70mm IMAX film is 3 hours away and all the good seats seem to be booked. It’s likely off the table for me. I refuse to sit in the front row of any movie theater let alone a 70mm IMAX one I drove 3 hours to see. Maybe they’ll replay it someday and that 2 million plus feet of film won’t be worn out by then and I’ll get to see it. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890/17 "2026-07-25T02:31:33Z")
Lincoln Square in NYC. AKA the biggest IMAX screen in the country. Currently sold out every date through Aug 19, including 2am and 6am showtimes. People actually fly here just for the IMAX! > **[People From all Over Are Traveling to the Upper West Side to Watch a Movie:...](https://www.westsiderag.com/2026/07/16/people-from-all-over-are-traveling-to-the-upper-west-side-to-watch-a-movie-heres-why)** > > A poster for "The Odyssey" at the AMC Lincoln Square theater. Photo by Emily Tannenhauser. By Josh Stern There are ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2026, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890/18 "2026-07-25T02:36:03Z")
A ticket to an IMAX screening costs extra. Fuck IMAX. ---
**Author:** ![Steven\_Maven](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steven_maven/32/3272_2.png) [@Steven\_Maven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steven_Maven)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2026, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890/19 "2026-07-26T13:56:40Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > If it’s a digitally shot movie getting a 70mm blow-up… Nolan shot _The Odyssey_ entirely on 70 mm film using IMAX cameras. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2026, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890/20 "2026-07-26T15:48:15Z")
And that’s not even counting the 10 year outbound trip to pick up some cigarettes. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-odyssey-how-important-is-it-to-see-it-in-70mm-imax/1031890.md?page=2)