Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Is Taking Over China’s IMAX Screens in a Massive Theater Push

Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ is shaping up to be one of the biggest IMAX events of the year, especially in China. IMAX China is preparing for an enormous release, with the company expecting the majority of its nearly 800-screen network to show the film when it arrives in mainland China on August 14.

IMAX China CEO Daniel Manwaring told Variety that excitement around the movie has reached a level the company has not seen in a long time. “I’m expecting a very large majority of our entire network, if not all of our network, that first week will be playing ‘The Odyssey,’” Manwaring said.

The anticipation has already led to a major promotional push. Nolan and star Matt Damon are scheduled to visit Beijing on July 30 for what Manwaring described as the first red carpet event for a commercial film held at the China National Film Museum. The event will include two screenings in Beijing, along with another special screening at an IMAX theater at Universal Beijing Resort.

According to Manwaring, interest from fans has been unusually strong. He told Variety that he has personally been receiving dozens of daily messages from people asking for tickets. “We haven’t seen enthusiasm for a film like this in quite some time,” he said.

Early previews for the film will begin on August 1 and 2 in major Chinese cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen. While the movie is expected to perform strongly, Manwaring believes its audience will be different from other major Hollywood releases. He described ‘The Odyssey’ as more focused on first-tier cities, comparing its potential audience to major markets like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago in the United States.

Interest has also been building through ticketing platforms. Data from Maoyan Pro showed that ‘The Odyssey’ had already collected more than 252,000 “want to see” registrations by July 24, placing it ahead of other upcoming imported films tracked by the service. The strongest interest has come from major cities and frequent moviegoers.

A major reason behind the confidence is Nolan’s growing popularity in China. Manwaring believes the director has developed one of the strongest fan bases in the country, saying “Nolan is so big in China, and his following is not just enormous but extremely sticky. These are fans that are lifelong… diehard.”

Nolan’s previous film, ‘Oppenheimer,’ helped strengthen that connection. The movie earned nearly $20 million during its full theatrical run in mainland China, with IMAX screenings making up a significant portion of its earnings. Manwaring believes Nolan’s popularity has continued growing over time, describing it as “the Nolan effect” and saying it has become bigger with each release.

The CEO also praised the scale of ‘The Odyssey’ itself, calling it a unique combination of a legendary story and a filmmaker known for creating massive cinematic experiences. “We’re talking about one of the greatest poems ever made and told through the greatest filmmaker’s lens ever made,” he said.

China’s IMAX audience has also become known for paying close attention to technical details such as screen size and projection quality. Manwaring explained that Chinese moviegoers often research theater equipment and seek out the best possible viewing experience.

Beyond Nolan’s film, IMAX China is expecting a stronger second half of the year after a slower period earlier in 2026. Upcoming releases such as ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day,’ ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ and local hit ‘Kung Fu Soccer’ are expected to help boost business.

With massive fan interest, a huge IMAX rollout, and Nolan’s reputation continuing to grow, ‘The Odyssey’ is becoming one of the most anticipated theatrical releases in China this year. For IMAX China, the film represents more than just another blockbuster — it is a chance to show why the big-screen experience still matters.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!