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Prague’s rare 70mm IMAX draws thousands of Europeans for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey
🇸🇬 Singapore /Culture & Society

Prague’s rare 70mm IMAX draws thousands of Europeans for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey

From CNA · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • Prague's rare 70mm IMAX theater is drawing thousands of Europeans to see Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey."
  • The film format, preferred by Nolan, offers a unique cinematic experience.
  • Moviegoers are traveling significant distances, some for up to three days, to witness the presentation.

Prague has become an unexpected destination for thousands of Europeans drawn by the rare opportunity to experience Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" in its preferred 70mm IMAX format. The Czech capital boasts one of the few dozen theaters worldwide equipped with this coveted screen, offering what Nolan himself calls the "best possible experience."

The demand for this specific format has led to an increase in screenings, with Cinema City offering four to five shows daily, many of which are sold out. Film enthusiasts from across Europe, spanning from Scandinavia to Spain, are making the journey to Prague. By Monday, July 27, 2026, the number of international visitors specifically for this film presentation had reached 22,000.

It completely changed my experience about the movie. Everything was great. It was a great movie.

— Nicolas WalakA visitor from Poland describes his enhanced experience watching 'The Odyssey' in Prague's 70mm IMAX format.

Moviegoers are undertaking considerable travel to witness the film. Daniel Jung, accompanied by his teenage sons Felix and Leo, drove for three days from Norway, passing through Denmark and Germany, solely for the screening. Leo had been in contact with Cinema City for months, meticulously planning to secure tickets immediately upon their release.

We come from Norway, the screens we have are much smaller. Now, we watched it in this huge format. I will always remember this experience.

— LeoA teenager from Norway reflects on the impressive scale and memorable experience of the 70mm IMAX screening in Prague.

"It completely changed my experience about the movie," said Nicolas Walak from Poland, who had previously seen the film on a standard screen. "Everything was great. It was a great movie.” The sheer scale of the 70mm IMAX format is a significant draw. "We come from Norway, the screens we have are much smaller," Leo explained. "Now, we watched it in this huge format. I will always remember this experience.” The effort, for many, is considered "absolutely worth it."

Globally, there are only 41 70mm IMAX screens, with the majority located in North America. Within the European Union, only Montpellier in France and Brussels in Belgium offer this format, alongside three screens in Britain. Prague's cinema is therefore a crucial hub for European fans seeking this premium cinematic encounter.

The 70mm IMAX film presentation is Nolan's preferred format. The Oscar-winning filmmaker calls it the “best possible experience”.

— NarratorHighlights Christopher Nolan's preference for the 70mm IMAX format and his high regard for the viewing experience it provides.
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Originally published by CNA. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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