Fort Lauderdale residents who hoped to see Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey the way the director intended will have to plan ahead: the Museum of Discovery and Science’s Autonation IMAX 3D Theater is the only venue in Florida playing the film in 70mm IMAX, and showings are sold out through Aug. 13.
What changes for viewers here
The practical effect is simple: if you want the full 70mm IMAX presentation in Florida, you must come to Fort Lauderdale. The museum’s Autonation IMAX 3D Theater is one of 25 theaters in the United States equipped to run 70mm IMAX film prints, the physical format Nolan prefers for The Odyssey.
- Availability: 70mm IMAX screenings in Fort Lauderdale are sold out through Aug. 13.
- Quality: 70mm prints deliver higher image resolution and a taller frame than standard 35mm film.
- Alternatives: The Odyssey is also available in IMAX digital, Regal RPX, Cinemark XD and Dolby Cinema formats at other theaters.
Why 70mm IMAX matters
The difference lies in the physical film size and how much of the frame an IMAX 70mm presentation displays. A standard film strip is 35mm; a 70mm print is physically larger and allows for greater detail and a taller image on IMAX-equipped screens. According to IMAX and reporting on the film’s release, Nolan’s Odyssey is notable because it was filmed entirely with IMAX cameras — a rarity, as filmmakers often reserve IMAX cameras for select sequences because they are bulky and costly.
"IMAX is the best film format that was ever invented. It's the gold standard and what any other technology has to match up to, but none have,"
that Nolan said in a press release about the format.
Local impact and demand
The museum’s unique capability gives Fort Lauderdale a local cultural draw and, for now, a de facto exclusivity in Florida. Demand has been intense nationwide: industry reporting notes fans have bought tickets months in advance, taken cross-country trips, or otherwise rearranged plans to see the film in 70mm. Locally, that could mean higher foot traffic at the museum and nearby businesses on screening days, though specific economic figures were not released.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| 70mm IMAX locations in U.S. | 25 |
| Fort Lauderdale 70mm showings | Sold out through Aug. 13 |
Other ways to see The Odyssey
If Fort Lauderdale viewers cannot secure a 70mm ticket, the film remains widely available in other high-quality formats. Moviegoers can view The Odyssey in IMAX digital, large-screen formats such as Regal RPX and Cinemark XD, and in Dolby Cinema. Those formats provide enhanced audio and picture quality, though not the exact 70mm IMAX framing and resolution Nolan prefers.
For residents and visitors who value seeing the film as the director intended, Fort Lauderdale currently offers the only in-state option. For others, less exclusive premium formats are accessible at multiplexes across the region.
