Charlize Theron’s ‘The Odyssey’ role has South Africans heading to Ster-Kinekor
· The South African
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has delivered a major boost to South Africa’s cinema industry, helping Ster-Kinekor record its strongest IMAX opening weekend in more than six years.
The epic adaptation packed cinemas across the country, with several IMAX screenings selling out as moviegoers flocked to experience the film on the biggest screens available.
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Biggest IMAX opening since before the pandemic
According to Ster-Kinekor, The Odyssey has become its best-performing IMAX opening weekend since 2019, marking one of the cinema chain’s strongest premium-format launches ever.
“For Ster-Kinekor, this is the biggest IMAX opening weekend since 2019. The Odyssey opening weekend officially ranks as one of the best-performing IMAX titles on opening weekend in Ster-Kinekor’s history,” said Lynne Wylie, Chief Marketing Officer at Ster-Kinekor Theatres.
The film’s stacked cast, which includes South Africa’s Charlize Theron, was always certain to draw huge numbers to cinemas, including:
- Matt Damon as Odysseus
- Tom Holland as Telemachus
- Anne Hathaway as Penelope
- Robert Pattinson as Antinous
- Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy
- Zendaya as Athena
- Charlize Theron as Calypso
- Elliot Page as Sinon
- Jon Bernthal as Menelaus
The last films to generate similar IMAX demand were blockbuster releases including:
- Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
- Avengers: Endgame (2019)
- The Lion King (2019)
Global box office success
The South African success reflects the film’s strong international performance.
According to Exhibitor Relations, The Odyssey grossed $263.5 million worldwide during its opening weekend, surpassing its reported $250 million production budget in just three days.
The impressive debut has cemented the latest Christopher Nolan film as one of the biggest box office successes of the year.
Streaming competition fails to slow cinemas
The strong turnout also provides another positive sign for traditional cinemas, which have faced growing competition from streaming services in recent years.
Nolan has long argued that his films are designed for the theatrical experience, particularly IMAX, where audiences can fully appreciate the large-scale visuals, immersive sound and cinematic spectacle.
South African audiences appear to agree, with social media filled with praise for the film’s breathtaking cinematography, epic battle scenes and IMAX presentation.
Many viewers have encouraged others to catch the film on the biggest screen possible before its premium-format run ends.
More blockbusters on the way
Ster-Kinekor believes the momentum will continue through the remainder of the year, with several major releases still to come.
Upcoming blockbuster releases include:
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day – 31 July
- Street Fighter – 16 October
- The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping – 20 November
- Dune: Chapter 3 – 18 December
- Avengers: Doomsday – 18 December
- Jumanji: Open World – 25 December
South African audiences can also look forward to Children of Blood and Bone, starring South African actress Thuso Mbedu, which is set for an IMAX release on 15 January 2027.
Filmed entirely in South Africa, the fantasy epic features an international cast including Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Cynthia Erivo.
With The Odyssey filling cinemas and attracting audiences back to the big screen, the latest box office figures suggest there is still strong demand for blockbuster films that deliver a truly immersive theatrical experience.
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