The movie starring Matt Damon sparked mass gridlock on Fandango and AMC, forcing desperate fans into virtual queues and hours-long lines to secure seats|@odysseymovie|X
The hottest entertainment item this summer is not FIFA or concert tickets; it is an entry to director Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, The Odyssey.
Starring Matt Damon, the film has sparked massive demand, overwhelming ticketing platforms like Fandango and AMC. Fans have faced virtual queues, website slowdowns, and hours-long waits to secure seats, including for 3 a.m. and 7 a.m. showtimes.
Nolan and distributor Universal Pictures already hyped up the movie a year before its release by selling tickets for Imax 70mm screens, and now, with the July 17 release date nearing, ticket frenzy has hit Hollywood.
- Fandango reported that first-day ticket sales were 10 times higher than those for Nolan’s previous hit, Oppenheimer.
- The demand has also fueled a booming resale market, with scalpers selling $30 opening-weekend tickets for about $250 per pair on eBay.
- Limited-edition Imax-camera-shaped popcorn buckets are fetching upward of $200.
- Florida’s Museum of Discovery & Science is selling $2,000 VIP bundles that include 10 tickets and a tour of the projector room.
Fans are paying big bucks
The trend reflects audiences’ growing willingness to pay for premium cinema experiences.
According to research firm EntTelligence, 16% of all movie tickets sold this year were for premium formats, which average more than $18 nationwide.
With The Odyssey filmed entirely using Imax cameras, Hollywood is capitalizing on moviegoers eager for the ultimate big-screen experience.