What's happened
Czech capital Prague is drawing 22,000 film fans from around 15 European countries to watch Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey on rare IMAX 70 mm screens. With only 41 such screens globally, Prague’s Cinema City is hosting multiple daily showings, cementing the city as a hub for audiences seeking Nolan’s preferred format.
What's behind the headline?
Contextual read
- This piece foregrounds a rare technology (IMAX 70 mm) as the centerpiece, with a focus on crowd behavior and travel patterns rather than the film itself.
- The piece could benefit from more on-the-ground details (venue capacity, ticket pricing variance, accessibility).
- The narrative reinforces Nolan’s preference for the format, underscoring market scarcity and premium pricing.
Potential angles
- Why such formats persist when the cost is high? Economic impact on local theaters and urban tourism.
- How audiences travel cross-border for premieres in niche formats.
- The broader implications for cinemas investing in PLFs (premium large formats).
How we got here
The Odyssey is Nolan’s latest epic, shot and presented in IMAX 70 mm. Worldwide, there are only a handful of theaters with this format, primarily in North America, with Europe hosting a few more in France, Belgium, and the UK. Prague has seized on demand by offering four to five screenings daily, including one after midnight, all in a high-cost, specialized format.
Our analysis
Independent reports with first-hand testimonials from visitors like Nicolas Walak and Daniel Jung, plus CNBC data on ticket pricing and theater capacity across IMAX 70 mm locations.
Go deeper
- Will other European cities follow Prague’s model for IMAX 70 mm showings?
- How long will The Odyssey run in 70 mm before demand fades?
- What is the price premium for 70 mm versus standard screenings?
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