IMAX expansion in Australia: Brisbane still waiting for a screen
IMAX is experiencing a boom in Australia, with 10 screens now operational and more planned, but Brisbane remains without a venue. The Odyssey, Christopher Nolan's first film shot entirely on IMAX 70mm, has driven unprecedented demand, including pre-dawn sessions. IMAX Melbourne sold out six weeks of screenings for the film, grossing $3.18 million. Australia was IMAX's ninth biggest market by late April 2026, and in 2025 IMAX earned more per screen than in any other country. Despite Queensland contributing 19.7% of The Odyssey's first four-day box office, Brisbane has lacked an IMAX since the South Bank venue closed over 20 years ago. EVT and Hoyts have announced expansion plans but have not confirmed a Brisbane location.
Key facts
- The Odyssey is the first feature filmed entirely on IMAX 70mm.
- Only 41 IMAX sites worldwide can screen 70mm.
- IMAX Melbourne sold out six weeks of sessions: 70,900 admissions for $3.18 million.
- Australia had 10 IMAX sites as of 2026, up from 1 in 2023.
- IMAX earned more per Australian screen in 2024 than any other country.
- 2025 was IMAX's best year in Australia with $18.6 million box office.
- Queensland provided 19.7% of The Odyssey's first four-day box office ($2.96 million).
- Brisbane's IMAX closed 20 years ago; no new location confirmed.
Entities
Artists
- Christopher Nolan
- Matt Damon
- Cillian Murphy
- Robert Downey Jr.
- Guy Pearce
- Mia Goth
- Anne Hathaway
- Baz Luhrmann
- Sam Neill
- Sarah Ward
- Stephen A Russell
- Leah J. Williams
- James J Robinson
Institutions
- IMAX
- Universal Pictures
- Event Cinemas
- Hoyts
- Village Cinemas
- Dendy Canberra
- ScreenHub
- ArtsHub
- ABC radio Gold Coast
- Screen International
- Alliance of Women Film Journalists
- Concrete Playground
- Variety Australia
- Goethe-Institut Australien
- Australian Centre for the Moving Image
- SBS
- SBS Movies
- Flicks
- Lumina
- Senses of Cinema
- Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts
- Junkee
- FilmInk
- Broadsheet
- Televised Revolution
- Metro Magazine
- Screen Education
- City of Gold Coast
Locations
- Australia
- Brisbane
- Gold Coast
- Melbourne
- Sydney
- Canberra
- Perth
- Adelaide
- Innaloo
- Fountain Gate
- Melbourne Central
- Chadstone
- Blacktown
- Carousel
- Pacific Fair
- South Bank
- New South Wales
- Victoria
- Queensland
- Western Australia
- France
- Italy
- Germany
- Spain
- Mexico
- Argentina