“Spider-Man: Brand New Day” will (finally!) swing to Imax on Aug. 6.
Sony and Marvel’s web-slinging adventure didn’t play on the company’s premium screens during its first few days in theaters because Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” commanded the network’s entire domestic footprint for three weekends. Now that “The Odyssey’s” exclusive run is ending, Imax is able to schedule other blockbusters in its coveted auditoriums.
That being said, Nolan’s Greek epic will retain most of the company’s screens. “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” will share the Imax global network with “The Odyssey” across select digital locations. Meanwhile “The Odyssey” will continue to play across all 41 of the company’s 70mm film locations around the world. So far, “The Odyssey” has generated a staggering $221 million globally in Imax — and that’s before the blockbuster has landed in major overseas markets like China, South Korea and Japan.
Of course, “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” is already doing quite well at the box office without Imax. The superhero adventure, starring Tom Holland as Peter Parker, launched to a jaw-dropping $927 million globally, including $355 million domestically and $572 million internationally. Since “The Odyssey” has yet to premiere in certain territories in Asia, the newest Spidey adventure was able to screen in Imax across China, Japan and South Korea, delivering a combined $23 million.
“Spider-Man has been among the most bankable superheroes at the global box office for over two decades — with the franchise delivering $365 million in Imax receipts to date — and ‘Brand New Day’ is taking that legacy to new heights with its record-breaking opening weekend,” said Rich Gelfond, CEO of Imax. “We believe more Spidey fans around the world will want to experience his latest adventure in Imax — and we hope to be a major driver of both new and repeat viewing for the latest hit in this incredible year for moviegoing.”
Thanks to the all-out frenzy around “The Odyssey,” Imax achieved its highest-grossing month in history with $257 million globally in July — 47% above its previous record. “The Odyssey,” the first feature shot entirely with Imax cameras, became the company’s fastest film to surpass $200 million. It ranks as Imax’s third-highest grossing release to date. And the benchmarks will keep coming because Imax plans to keep scheduling “The Odyssey” through at least Sept. 17.
“We are all witness to history with ‘The Odyssey,’ which seems intent on shattering all Imax box office records in its path,” Gelfond said. “It continues to defy gravity in a way few films ever have, making it virtually impossible to predict how high it will ultimately soar.”
