South African moviegoers have turned out in record numbers for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, giving Ster-Kinekor its biggest IMAX opening weekend since 2019 and reinforcing the continued appeal of the theatrical cinema experience.
Shot entirely using IMAX film cameras, The Odyssey delivered record-breaking attendance across Ster-Kinekor’s nine IMAX cinemas nationwide, with multiple screenings selling out during its opening weekend.
According to global box office data from Exhibitor Relations, the film generated an estimated $263.5 million worldwide during its opening weekend, surpassing its reported $250 million production budget in just three days and placing it among the biggest blockbuster launches of the year.
“For Ster-Kinekor, this is the biggest IMAX opening weekend since 2019,” said Lynne Wylie, Chief Marketing Officer at Ster-Kinekor Theatres. “The Odyssey opening weekend officially ranks as one of the best-performing IMAX titles on opening weekend in Ster-Kinekor’s history.”
The achievement places the film alongside previous IMAX successes including Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame and The Lion King, all of which delivered exceptional performances at the South African box office.
Cinema’s strong momentum continues
The success of The Odyssey builds on what has been a strong period for cinemas both locally and internationally.
Another major performer this year has been Michael, the musical biopic about Michael Jackson, which has officially surpassed $1 billion at the global box office. The milestone makes it the first biographical film to reach the billion-dollar mark and one of the highest-grossing music biopics ever released.
Locally, Ster-Kinekor says consistent attendance has also been driven by a diverse slate of films throughout the mid-year school holidays, with family favourites including Toy Story 5, Minions & Monsters and Moana continuing to attract audiences.
More blockbusters on the horizon
Ster-Kinekor expects that momentum to continue throughout the remainder of the year, with several major releases scheduled across both IMAX and its premium cinema formats.
Among the most anticipated titles are:
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day (29 July 2026)
- Street Fighter (16 October 2026)
- The Cat in the Hat (6 November 2026)
- The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (20 November 2026)
- Dune: Chapter 3 (18 December 2026)
- Avengers: Dooms Day (18 December 2026)
- Jumanji: Open World (25 December 2026)
The exhibitor also highlighted an upcoming milestone for South African talent.
Releasing in IMAX on 15 January 2027, Children of Blood and Bone stars South African actress Thuso Mbedu in the lead role as Zélie Adebola. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood and filmed entirely in South Africa, the fantasy epic also features Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Cynthia Erivo.
The premium cinema experience
While streaming platforms continue to dominate home entertainment, the performance of The Odyssey suggests audiences are still willing to leave home for films that are designed to be experienced on the biggest screen possible.
Premium formats such as IMAX remain a significant draw for blockbuster releases, offering large-format visuals and immersive sound that filmmakers like Christopher Nolan specifically design their films around.
With The Odyssey now screening nationwide, Ster-Kinekor is encouraging moviegoers to experience the film in IMAX while it remains on circuit. The company currently operates nine IMAX cinemas across Johannesburg, Tshwane, Gqeberha and Cape Town, with bookings available through Ster-Kinekor’s website and mobile app.
