Ticket scalpers in Los Angeles are capitalizing on the intense demand for Christopher Nolan's film "The Odyssey," with resale prices for premium showings reaching hundreds of dollars above face value. Listings on marketplaces like eBay show significant markups, particularly for screenings in the IMAX 70MM format.
Multiple listings for IMAX 70MM tickets at the AMC Universal CityWalk, one of the few theaters nationwide equipped with the format, have appeared on resale sites. One eBay advertisement offered four seats for an August 7 showing at $1,299.00. These seats, described as being in an ideal viewing location, were noted to be closer to the middle of the theater, a spot favored by Nolan himself.
Another listing for the same theater showed four tickets for an August 14 showing priced at approximately $500. Reports indicate that some tickets for "The Odyssey" showings in California have already sold for hundreds of dollars, with one instance of six tickets for an IMAX 70MM screening at Universal CityWalk selling for $1,400.
The high resale prices are attributed to a combination of the film's popularity and the limited availability of the IMAX 70MM format, which utilizes real film projection and offers a distinctive viewing experience. Fans have reportedly traveled considerable distances to see the film in this format. One deaf fan traveled 300 miles for an IMAX 70MM showing, despite the lack of closed captions, stating the visual experience was worth the compromise.
"The Odyssey" has generated significant cultural buzz across the United States and Europe since its release. Adam Aron, Chairman and CEO of AMC Entertainment, noted that the film's success demonstrates the integral role of movie theaters in society. The film attracted over 4.3 million moviegoers during its opening weekend, according to Universal Pictures. Previews for "Dune 3" were shown before the feature, which stars Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, and Robert Pattinson. Audience reactions observed at an early screening at AMC Universal CityWalk included quiet attentiveness during the film and enthusiastic applause at its conclusion.