‘Oppenheimer’ Shatters IMAX Records with Stellar Global Box Office Performance

THE BIG PICTURE
Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan’s latest offering, has enjoyed a tremendous global box office victory, amassing $400 million within a mere 9-day window, with a noteworthy 20% stemming from IMAX screenings. This film has rewritten multiple IMAX records and maintains a high audience demand, resulting in fully booked shows and prolonged run time in theaters. Nolan, employing novel technology, filmed Oppenheimer in black and white with an unprecedented level of detail, asserting that the IMAX format offers the most authentic presentation of his film.

Since its release on July 21, Oppenheimer has experienced an astonishing first two weekends, accumulating a staggering $400 million globally in just nine days. Interestingly, a fifth of this sum is credited to the IMAX screenings, which are currently sold out and hard to get tickets for. Nolan’s biopic, chronicling the life and career of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, has so far reaped $80.7 million from the IMAX large format.

This film, shortly after its release, shattered multiple IMAX records during its opening weekend, both domestically and abroad, and the growing demand for it appears undeterred, with screenings being continuously booked out for weeks. Such is the demand that IMAX has recently announced the film’s run will be extended into the late summer and autumn. In collaboration with IMAX and Kodak, Nolan developed new technology to film in black and white, delivering unprecedented detail. Much has been said about the 11-mile long, 650lb film reel for Oppenheimer, which necessitated IMAX to expand their platter to accommodate their 70MM projectors – a format Nolan staunchly advocates for as the best way to experience his film.

Oppenheimer Rains on IMAX’s Parade with Record-Breaking Run

Up to now, Oppenheimer has earned $47.3 million domestically through IMAX, making up 27.2% of its total domestic gross. Internationally, it pulled in another $33.4 million, accounting for 14.8% of its total worldwide earnings so far. It has also set new records abroad in addition to its domestic success, achieving the “Greatest IMAX Opening Weekend ever in Mexico, India, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt, Chile, Colombia, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Czech Republic.” The film is also set to premiere in South Korea on August 15, Italy on August 23, and Greece on August 24.

Don’t miss FilmSweep’s exclusive interview with Nolan below:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Oppenheimer IMAX Success

More about Oppenheimer IMAX Success

• Oppenheimer Official Trailer
• Christopher Nolan Discusses Filming Techniques
• IMAX and its Role in Cinema
• Life of J. Robert Oppenheimer
• Kodak’s Role in the Film Industry
• Box Office Records