Blab Entertainment
Nolans The Odyssey Opens Wide in Nashville, 70-mm IMAX Debut at Regal Opry Mills
On a balmy July evening, Nashville’s moviegoers will be whisked away to ancient Greece when Christopher Nolan’s newest epic, The Odyssey, opens across the city. The film’s debut includes a 70‑mm IMAX screening at Regal Opry Mills and a 35‑mm showing at the Belcourt Theatre, offering audiences a rare chance to experience the same nearly three‑hour retelling of Homer’s poem in two distinct, high‑resolution formats.
Nolan’s latest venture follows the director’s 2023 blockbuster Oppenheimer and is part of Universal Pictures’ summer slate. After premiering on July 6, 2026 at the Empire Leicester Square in London, the film will reach U.S. and U.K. audiences on July 17, 2026. Universal’s release strategy emphasizes premium large‑format options, making The Odyssey* the first film in Nolan’s career to be shot entirely on IMAX’s 70‑mm film cameras. The production, co‑produced by Nolan and his wife Emma Thomas through Syncopy Inc., carried an estimated budget of $250 million.
The cast brings together familiar faces and fresh talent. Matt Damon portrays Odysseus, Anne Hathaway plays Penelope, and the supporting ensemble includes Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong‑o, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron. Nolan wrote the script, drawing from several translations of the original epic while weaving realistic interpretations of Greek mythology into the narrative.
Regal Opry Mills’ 70‑mm IMAX presentation offers a 1.43:1 aspect ratio and an image width of 18 by 24 metres, delivering an immersive visual experience. Meanwhile, the Belcourt Theatre—known for its eclectic mix of classic and contemporary titles—will screen the film on 35‑mm film as part of its “Weekend Classics: Beat the Heat” series, which began earlier this month with Interstellar and Casino. The Belcourt’s programming for the summer also includes Céline and Julie Go Boating, Sherman’s March, JFK, Andrei Rublev, Lawrence of Arabia, and Once Upon a Time in the West, among others.
Industry observers note that the film’s use of IMAX 70‑mm is significant. According to the IMAX website, only a handful of mainstream movies have been shot entirely on the 15/70 format, and the technology remains costly and labor‑intensive. The decision to employ the format underscores Nolan’s continued commitment to high‑resolution, practical‑effects‑heavy filmmaking.
Universal’s marketing for The Odyssey highlights the epic’s scope and the immersive quality of the IMAX presentation. The company’s press release states that the film will be available in IMAX and other premium large‑format venues across the United States, aligning with a broader trend of summer blockbusters that emphasize large‑screen experiences.
For Nashville audiences, the dual-format availability offers a unique cinematic event. The Belcourt’s dedication to high‑quality film presentations complements its reputation as a venue for both arthouse and mainstream releases, while Regal Opry Mills’ 70‑mm run will run throughout the film’s theatrical window.
With Oppenheimer grossing over $976 million worldwide and earning critical acclaim, Universal is poised to promote The Odyssey as a high‑profile summer event. The film’s release schedule is set for July 17, 2026, with additional screenings planned through the summer. The Belcourt will continue to feature the movie as part of its “Weekend Classics” series, and Regal Opry Mills will maintain the 70‑mm IMAX run for the duration of the theatrical window.
In sum, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey combines a classic source material with cutting‑edge film technology, positioning its Nashville debut as a key event for audiences seeking an immersive, large‑screen cinematic experience.
Nolan’s latest venture follows the director’s 2023 blockbuster Oppenheimer and is part of Universal Pictures’ summer slate. After premiering on July 6, 2026 at the Empire Leicester Square in London, the film will reach U.S. and U.K. audiences on July 17, 2026. Universal’s release strategy emphasizes premium large‑format options, making The Odyssey* the first film in Nolan’s career to be shot entirely on IMAX’s 70‑mm film cameras. The production, co‑produced by Nolan and his wife Emma Thomas through Syncopy Inc., carried an estimated budget of $250 million.
The cast brings together familiar faces and fresh talent. Matt Damon portrays Odysseus, Anne Hathaway plays Penelope, and the supporting ensemble includes Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong‑o, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron. Nolan wrote the script, drawing from several translations of the original epic while weaving realistic interpretations of Greek mythology into the narrative.
Regal Opry Mills’ 70‑mm IMAX presentation offers a 1.43:1 aspect ratio and an image width of 18 by 24 metres, delivering an immersive visual experience. Meanwhile, the Belcourt Theatre—known for its eclectic mix of classic and contemporary titles—will screen the film on 35‑mm film as part of its “Weekend Classics: Beat the Heat” series, which began earlier this month with Interstellar and Casino. The Belcourt’s programming for the summer also includes Céline and Julie Go Boating, Sherman’s March, JFK, Andrei Rublev, Lawrence of Arabia, and Once Upon a Time in the West, among others.
Industry observers note that the film’s use of IMAX 70‑mm is significant. According to the IMAX website, only a handful of mainstream movies have been shot entirely on the 15/70 format, and the technology remains costly and labor‑intensive. The decision to employ the format underscores Nolan’s continued commitment to high‑resolution, practical‑effects‑heavy filmmaking.
Universal’s marketing for The Odyssey highlights the epic’s scope and the immersive quality of the IMAX presentation. The company’s press release states that the film will be available in IMAX and other premium large‑format venues across the United States, aligning with a broader trend of summer blockbusters that emphasize large‑screen experiences.
For Nashville audiences, the dual-format availability offers a unique cinematic event. The Belcourt’s dedication to high‑quality film presentations complements its reputation as a venue for both arthouse and mainstream releases, while Regal Opry Mills’ 70‑mm run will run throughout the film’s theatrical window.
With Oppenheimer grossing over $976 million worldwide and earning critical acclaim, Universal is poised to promote The Odyssey as a high‑profile summer event. The film’s release schedule is set for July 17, 2026, with additional screenings planned through the summer. The Belcourt will continue to feature the movie as part of its “Weekend Classics” series, and Regal Opry Mills will maintain the 70‑mm IMAX run for the duration of the theatrical window.
In sum, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey combines a classic source material with cutting‑edge film technology, positioning its Nashville debut as a key event for audiences seeking an immersive, large‑screen cinematic experience.
