Christopher Nolan recently announced in an interview that watching movies in IMAX format is not essential, and viewers can enjoy films using other formats as well. The year 2026 has clearly been the year of IMAX, particularly due to the remarkable successes of Nolan's film 'The Odyssey', which broke numerous box office and IMAX format records after its release in mid-July. In addition to 'The Odyssey', films like 'Project Hail Mary' and the biggest film of the year, 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day', were also shown in this format.
Popularity of IMAX and Its Impacts
The popularity of IMAX has increased in recent years, especially after the pandemic, attracting more viewers to theaters. In 2025, audiences flocked to watch films like 'Sinners', 'One Battle After Another', and the latest installment of 'Mission: Impossible' in IMAX. The gold standard for cinema enthusiasts is the rare IMAX 70mm screenings, which require a large projector to display the big 70mm films. Only 26 theaters in the United States are capable of showing IMAX 70mm, and the competition for tickets to films like 'The Odyssey' and 'Dune: Part Three' in these theaters has created a resale market.
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Social Pressure and Viewer Sentiments
However, this popularity has also created a fear of missing out (FOMO) among those who cannot get tickets or do not live near an IMAX theater. Many theaters labeled as IMAX are not true IMAX, and viewers pay extra for screenings in these venues but miss out on all the benefits of the IMAX format. During the summer, social media was filled with images of experiences watching 'The Odyssey', with users seeking advice on how to get tickets or buy tickets from others. There was a prevailing sentiment that if we didn't see 'The Odyssey' in IMAX, we really hadn't seen it at all.
Nolan mentioned in an interview with the program '60 Minutes' that he also accepts watching his films on iPads, stating, 'I am deeply impressed by the easy access to films and the history of cinema.' He emphasized that directors work with all formats and audiences in mind and understand that not everyone can see the film in IMAX.
Overall, cinema projector technology has reached its peak in the 2020s, and if IMAX is not appealing to you or you cannot get a ticket, there are plenty of options for watching films that are better than any time in human history. Dolby cinemas with enhanced colors and surround sound are an excellent option, and 35mm and 70mm screenings are available in many theaters across the country.
Ultimately, not being able to go to an IMAX theater or choosing not to watch a film in IMAX does not take away from being a true cinema lover. For those sensitive to loud sounds or bright lights, IMAX may not be the right choice. In the end, what matters is that wherever you watch the film, you enjoy it and engage with the work.
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