Adelaide's arts scene thrives as Nolan fans travel far for 'The Odyssey' IMAX experience

Adelaide movie buffs are joining a global pilgrimage. The Guardian reported Monday that Christopher Nolan fans are embarking on epic journeys to see The Odyssey the way he wants them to, seeking out the few remaining 70mm IMAX screens for the filmmaker's latest epic.

For Adelaide audiences, that quest is hitting closer to home than usual. The film's release is driving renewed interest in premium large-format cinema. While the nearest 70mm IMAX venue is in Melbourne, local exhibitors are rolling out enhanced screenings to keep audiences in the city.

IMAX and beyond in Adelaide

The Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas on Rundle Street are among those capitalising on the buzz. Its ExiMax screen, with dual 4K laser projection and Dolby Atmos, is the closest local equivalent to the IMAX experience for most Adelaide moviegoers. Palace Nova has reserved a month-long run of The Odyssey on that screen, with premium tickets at $28.

Wallis Cinemas’ Capri Theatre in Goodwood is also screening the film in 35mm, drawing cinephiles who want the grain and warmth of analog projection. The Capri added two late-night shows this weekend after the first three sold out.

Screen tourism gets a local twist

The trend is part of a broader wave Nolan often triggers. After Oppenheimer in 2023, audiences flew from as far as Perth to see it on a proper IMAX screen. This time, Adelaide-based film societies and university clubs are organising group bus trips to Melbourne’s IMAX theatre at the Melbourne Museum, now advertising a July 25 departure with tickets already 60% sold.

Sam Neill, the New Zealand-born actor who calls South Australia home, shared his dream film project this week in an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald. Neill, known for Jurassic Park and Hunt for the Wilderpeople, remains a fixture at local industry events including the Adelaide Film Festival, which recently announced its 2026 program.

Hollywood is also taking notice of the attention Neill brings. The Guardian reported Tuesday that Hollywood was hailing Sam Neill, reinforcing his status as a connecting thread between Adelaide’s arts scene and international cinema.

Adelaide’s arts calendar is building on that momentum. The Adelaide Festival Centre’s 2026 winter program includes a film series curated by local critics, running through August in the Her Majesty’s Theatre foyer. Tickets start at $15 for double features. The State Library of South Australia, on North Terrace, opens a companion exhibition tomorrow exploring the evolution of epic storytelling on screen, from silent films to Nolan’s digital-age epics.

For those who’d rather not queue for a plane or bus, local alternatives are plentiful. The Mercury Cinema on Morphett Street is screening The Odyssey in its restored 4K digital auditorium, with student discounts at $12. Its box office said weekday matinees are booked at 80% capacity for the next fortnight.

Plan ahead. Nolan’s films have a habit of vanishing from cinemas fast. The Palace Nova and Capri runs are currently confirmed through July 31, with possible extensions if demand holds. Book now if you want a seat without the interstate fuel bill.