‘The Odyssey’ Lets Fans See the Epic Difference Between IMAX and Regular Screens

Christopher Nolan has never been shy about his obsession with theatrical presentation, and ‘The Odyssey‘ is taking that obsession to a new level before the film has even opened wide. As the epic adaptation of Homer’s poem approaches its July 17 release, Universal has rolled out a genuinely unusual promotional tool that lets curious moviegoers see, frame by frame, exactly what they are signing up for depending on which theater they choose.

The film holds the distinction of being the first feature ever shot entirely with IMAX film cameras, a technical achievement that comes with an unusually complicated menu of viewing options. Between IMAX 70mm, standard IMAX 70mm film, 35mm, Dolby Vision, and Premium Large Format screens, audiences are being asked to make a decision that goes well beyond simply picking a nearby theater.

To help sort through that confusion, the official ‘The Odyssey’ website now includes an interactive comparison tool that shows the film’s trailer adjusting in real time across all six formats. Selecting each format name shifts the footage to match its corresponding aspect ratio, giving viewers a direct side-by-side look at how dramatically the framing changes depending on where they see the movie.

The difference is striking once you actually see it laid out. In IMAX 70mm locations, the film is presented in IMAX’s expanded 1.43:1 aspect ratio, filling the screen from floor to ceiling with each frame running horizontally through the projector on 15 perforation stock. By contrast, a standard 35mm presentation crops significantly more of that same image down to a 2.39:1 ratio, meaning a meaningful portion of what Nolan actually captured never reaches the screen outside of the largest venues.

Standard IMAX locations fall somewhere in between, presenting the film at a 1.90:1 expanded ratio, with only select IMAX with Laser venues capable of showing the full 1.43:1 image. Traditional 70mm film, meanwhile, runs vertically through the projector at five perforations and displays at a 2.20:1 ratio, delivering up to three times the resolution of standard digital projection along with the rich analog color that comes from projecting light through celluloid.

Dolby Cinema locations round out the premium tier, offering the film in either 2.39:1 or 1.85:1 depending on the specific auditorium, paired with a high dynamic range laser projection system built for exactly the kind of large format material Nolan shot. Premium Large Format screens operate similarly, adjusting between those same two aspect ratios based on each individual theater’s screen dimensions.

Universal backed up the interactive tool with a series of videos featuring the film’s cast walking audiences through each format in more detail. Matt Damon, who stars as Odysseus, broke down the technical specifics of the top tier presentation, explaining that each frame has 15 perforations and runs horizontally through the projector, making it the largest format available. He added that viewers would feel the full impact of how the film was shot once inside the theater.

That level of detail has not gone unnoticed by fans hunting for tickets. Demand for IMAX 70mm screenings in particular has been intense, with reports of buyers facing hour-long waits online just to secure seats, and fewer than 25 theaters worldwide are even equipped to project true 70mm film. Some resale listings for those coveted screenings have reportedly climbed into the thousands of dollars.

Zendaya and Tom Holland also lent their voices to the format breakdown, with Zendaya highlighting the vivid dynamic range of Dolby Cinema and Holland pointing viewers toward Premium Large Format or motion-enhanced screens like D-Box for a more physically immersive experience. Lupita Nyong’o rounded out the cast explanations by walking through the mechanics of standard 70mm projection, noting its five perforations, vertical running film stock.

With so many ways to actually watch ‘The Odyssey’ once it opens, Universal’s decision to let audiences preview the framing differences themselves feels like a smart way to cut through the confusion before ticket buying decisions get made. Which format are you planning to see ‘The Odyssey’ in, and did the comparison tool change your mind about where you’ll be watching? Let us know in the comments.