Cinemark and IMAX Partner on 70mm Film Expansion Ahead of Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ (2026)

Key Highlights–

• Cinemark Corporation is set to deploy additional IMAX 70 mm film systems and IMAX with Laser screens ahead of Christopher Nolan’s upcoming 2026 epic The Odyssey.
• The rollout includes three new 70 mm film projection systems in the US and upgrades of twelve existing IMAX sites.
• Nolan’s film is billed as the first theatrical release shot entirely in IMAX film, arriving July 17 2026, when only around 30 theatres worldwide can project 70 mm IMAX.

In a major boost to large-format cinema, IMAX and Cinemark have expanded their long-running partnership with a new 17-theatre agreement, announced on Monday. The move comes as global anticipation builds for Christopher Nolan’s 2026 epic, The Odyssey. The expansion marks one of the company’s largest format upgrades in recent years, reinforcing its commitment to premium, immersive moviegoing experiences at a time when theaters are striving to differentiate themselves from home streaming platforms.

Cinemark and IMAX Expand Partnership with 17-Theater Deal Ahead of The Odyssey

Under the new deal, Cinemark will install four new IMAX with Laser screens across the United States and explore an additional laser-projection site in South America. The chain will also upgrade twelve existing IMAX locations to the advanced Laser system and introduce three state-of-the-art IMAX 70 mm film projection systems. This will enhance both image sharpness and audio fidelity.

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The new 70 mm systems will debut at select locations in Chicago, Colorado Springs, and Rochester, joining Cinemark’s existing 70 mm site in Dallas. Each venue will be ready ahead of the July 17, 2026, release of The Odyssey, which is reportedly the first feature film shot entirely in IMAX film. With fewer than 30 cinemas worldwide capable of projecting the 70 mm IMAX format, Cinemark’s move positions it at the forefront of the global race to deliver true large-format cinema experiences.

Why 70 mm Film Matters

IMAX 70 mm film projection remains a preferred format for auteur directors like Nolan, due to its visual clarity and immersive scale. Cinemark’s new 70 mm installations will be located at Cinemark Seven Bridges (Woodridge, Illinois), Cinemark Carefree Circle (Colorado Springs), and Cinemark Tinseltown (Rochester, New York), adding to its existing 70 mm site at Cinemark Webb Chapel (Dallas). The chain emphasises that all locations will be operational before the July 17, 2026, release of “The Odyssey’’.

Industry analysts see the move as part of a broader trend toward Premium Large Format (PLF) experiences, driven by an era of event-focused blockbusters. With upcoming releases such as Avatar: Fire and Ash, Wicked: For Good, Zootopia 2, The Running Man, and Predator: Badlands, studios and exhibitors alike are doubling down on immersive theatrical formats to lure audiences back to cinemas.

Cinemark’s expansion highlights how theaters are positioning themselves for a new wave of cinematic spectacle, defined by visual scale, technical precision, and the enduring appeal of the big screen.

Industry Strategy and Market Implications

“Cinemark expanding its commitment to both IMAX with Laser and IMAX 70 mm film underscores the value we are delivering for our exhibition partners in today’s marketplace,” said IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond. “With a tremendous slate ahead in 2026, highlighted by Filmed for IMAX and IMAX 70 mm releases, we look forward to working with Cinemark to deliver the most immersive cinematic experiences,” as reported by Variety.

Furthermore, CEO Sean Gamble and Cinemark’s president stated that the upgrades “reflect our commitment to delivering high-quality, differentiated experiences that drive greater value perception, loyalty, and frequency across all types of films.” “Upgrading our IMAX locations and activating additional 70 mm film systems further expands and enhances the immersive options we offer our guests,” Gamble stated.

Cinemas are increasingly prioritising premium large-format screens to stand out from home-streaming and preserve theatre attendance. Directors such as Nolan and Denis Villeneuve have publicly praised the 70 mm/IMAX format’s power in press tours, reinforcing demand for the largest, brightest screens in studio releases.