Ontario film fans must go on an odyssey to see Nolan's new movie the right way

Christopher Nolan's latest cinematic epic, The Odyssey, has only been in theatres for a week now, but many Ontario moviegoers are still struggling to see the film in its original — and preferred — IMAX 70 mm format.

The three-hour adaptation of Homer's ancient Greek saga stars Oscar winners Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway and Lupita Nyong'o alongside Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson and Zendaya. It's also making history as the first film shot entirely with IMAX 70 mm film cameras, capturing the massive 1.43:1 aspect ratio that many consider "a cinematic experience."

But most theatres can't show the Nolan epic the way the acclaimed director intended. In fact, only nine in Canada (a total of 41 theatres worldwide) are screening The Odyssey on IMAX 70 mm film, though some argue the filmmaker is the one doing audiences a disservice by producing a film in an inaccessible format. 

People in Ontario have just two options:

• Cineplex Cinemas in Mississauga, Ont.
• Cineplex Cinemas in Vaughan, Ont.

So, if you're a big Nolan fan and live in Timmons or Thunder Bay, you may not be able to view the movie in this format unless you want to book a vacation to Missisauga. 

The other theatres in Canada where you can watch The Odyssey on IMAX 70 mm are:

• Scotiabank Theatre Chinook in Calgary, Alta.
• Scotiabank Theatre in Edmonton, Alta.
• Kramer Imax Theatre in Regina, Sask.
• Cineplex Cinemas in  Langley, B.C.
• SilverCity Riverport Cinemas in Richmond, B.C.
• Cinéma Banque Scotia in Montreal, Que.

Casual moviegoers might be wondering, well, what's the big deal if you watch it in IMAX 70 mm or not? 

For starters — and this is what many moviegoers around the world can attest to — it offers a much larger image, greater detail, richer colours and more immersive sound than standard film. 

Even a week after its release — already grossing $300 million at teh global box office — movie fans online are still calling for more theatres to install IMAX 70 mm projection systems so audiences can experience films like The Odyssey in the format they were designed for. 

The Odyssey in IMAX vs. regular screens.

So much of the film is lost on a regular screen.

Nolan did a disservice to the majority of viewers who don't have access to IMAX. pic.twitter.com/Mear5YNIfe

— ︎ ︎venom (@venom1s) July 17, 2026

They argue that the scale and visual impact simply can't be replicated without the giant-format presentation.

How it is on a local cinema. We need more IMAX 70MM Screens https://t.co/USdFeTU6xQ pic.twitter.com/PVTBqk1q5D

— rohith kumar (@rohithklv) July 16, 2026

If you're hoping to catch The Odyssey in IMAX 70 mm near Toronto, you may have to act fast. Seats are becoming increasingly hard to find, with screenings at Cineplex Vaughan nearly sold out on both July 23 and July 24, save for the first row at the front... but who wants those, anyway?

Seats available for a July 24 screening of The Odyssey at Cineplex Cinemas Vaughan.

There are still plenty of chances to watch the film across the GTA in formats including UltraAVX, Laser Projection, D-BOX and standard digital screenings, where good seats are easier to come by. 

Perhaps your own odyssey is finding the perfect way to watch the movie.