Want to see ‘Odyssey’ in 70mm IMAX? Merced is within driving distance of 3 theaters
Christopher Nolan’s newest mammoth IMAX film officially opens Friday, and Merced County residents are just a few hours away from three of only a handful of theaters nationwide that can screen the film in its intended format.
“The Odyssey” is a nearly three-hour retelling of the ancient Greek epic poem featuring a star-studded cast.
Only 40 screens across the globe — including just 25 in the U.S. — are capable of showing “The Odyssey” in its original film format, and Northern California is home to three of those cinemas.
They are: Esquire IMAX Theater in downtown Sacramento, Regal Hacienda Crossings & IMAX in Dublin and AMC Metreon 16 & IMAX in San Francisco.
Not only do viewers get the chance to watch the first full feature-length movie entirely filmed in IMAX’s large 70mm format, but also the unique IMAX 70mm film has a nearly square aspect ratio, at 1.23:1, offering a more vertical viewing experience than most modern movies.
The 70mm-capable theater in Sacramento has four daily showtimes for the Nolan film through Sunday, July 26, and it will then drop to three screenings daily for at least three more weeks, according to IMAX’s website.
Tickets are $25.
Other theaters, including Regal Hollywood Merced & IMAX located downtown, offer IMAX digital screening, which feature larger screens than traditional theaters, though not as expansive as the 70mm format’s 1.23:1 aspect ratio.
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