Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, an ambitious attempt at Homer’s adaptation, hasn’t opened yet, but it has already broken the internet as well as AMC’s ticketing system along with it. When IMAX and premium large-format tickets went on sale this Thursday, the rush of fans was so overwhelming that AMC’s app paused its online queue entirely, with wait times stretching up to an hour for some users. While Fandango also reported major delays, it faced enormous traffic, leaving the users waiting.

The Odyssey Craze Takes Over the IMAX 70mm

When IMAX and premium large-format tickets went on sale, the limitation of 70mm seats created havoc for fans. Call it a craze for Nolan’s films or deep intrigue for the epic, fans made it a warzone for tickets. Only a handful of U.S. theaters can screen that format, and Nolan’s fanbase knows it. Those who managed to get through the queue still hit errors, stalled checkouts, and failed transactions before successfully landing a seat. (via Variety)

Christopher Nolan, on the other hand, made it clear why fans are so dedicated to his creation and believe in his cinematic vision so much. During an interview with 60 Minutes, Nolan chimed in about his movie-making process and said:

When I’m writing, I’m visualizing the film as an audience member, as somebody experiencing the story. Then, when I direct the story, I’m trying to take the audience there. So, in the case of ‘The Odyssey,‘ I’m trying to put the audience into that horse. I’m trying to put them on the deck of Odysseus’s ship.

This isn’t the first time AMC’s infrastructure has buckled under event-film demand. Similar crashes happened during Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert film in 2023 and again for her 2025 film Showgirl. But The Odyssey adds another layer, which makes the sheer volume of demand even more striking.

The Odyssey, Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s epic, is set to open in theaters on July 17, 2026 (USA).

Supriya Singh is a writer who covers all aspects of entertainment at Fandom Wire. She discovered popular culture during her journey as a content writer and found it instantly spoke to her personality.

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