Kinepolis Brussels Brings IMAX 70mm to the Benelux
Kinepolis Brussels has installed the only IMAX 70mm film projector in the Benelux region, making it one of just three European locations — alongside London and Prague — capable of screening films in the legendary analog format. The new system will debut with Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated epic The Odyssey, set for release on July 17, 2026.
A Rare Cinematic Treasure
IMAX 70mm is widely regarded as the pinnacle of cinematic projection. Using 70mm film stock running horizontally through the projector, the format delivers a frame area approximately 10 times larger than standard 35mm film, achieving a resolution equivalent to 18K with an exclusive 1.43:1 aspect ratio that fills the entire IMAX screen.
According to Het Laatste Nieuws, the IMAX 70mm projector weighs over 1,500 kg and required structural reinforcement of the projection room floor. A second projection window was also added to accommodate the format. The screen in Brussels measures 532 m² and seats 400 guests.
Kinepolis Brussels will retain its existing digital IMAX 4K laser system alongside the new analog projector, making it one of the few locations worldwide with both capabilities.
Tickets and Release
Tickets for IMAX 70mm screenings of The Odyssey go on sale June 11, 2026 via kinepolis.be, while standard tickets become available on June 15, 2026. The film itself premieres on July 17, 2026.
As newsmonkey.be reports, the installation positions Brussels as a premier destination for cinephiles across Europe, particularly from neighboring countries like the Netherlands, Luxembourg, northern France, and western Germany, where no such format is available.
Industry Leaders React
Eddy Duquenne, CEO of Kinepolis Group, expressed pride in the achievement: “We are proud and delighted that Kinepolis Brussels is becoming one of the few European locations — and the only one in the Benelux — to offer a 70mm IMAX experience. This will strengthen our reputation as an unparalleled destination for film lovers, many of whom are willing to travel for something truly exceptional.”
Giovanni Dolci, Chief Commercial Officer of IMAX, highlighted the long-standing partnership: “We are pleased to expand our long-standing collaboration with Kinepolis with a new IMAX 70mm film auditorium in Brussels. Kinepolis has long been a visionary partner in cinema operation, dating back to one of the very first IMAX locations ever integrated into a commercial multiplex.”
Anny Schmit, Managing Director of Sony Pictures Releasing Belgium, called the development “an important milestone for the cinema industry in our market,” noting that it offers audiences the chance to experience Nolan’s vision in “one of the most immersive and technically advanced formats ever.”
These quotes were reported by welovecinema.be.
Nolan’s Most Ambitious Film Yet
The Odyssey marks a historic first: it is the first feature film shot entirely on IMAX 70mm film cameras. With a $250 million budget — Nolan’s most expensive film to date — and a 172-minute runtime, the film adapts Homer’s ancient Greek epic. Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, joined by an ensemble cast including Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron.
Filming took place from February to August 2025 across Morocco, Greece, Italy, Scotland, Iceland, Western Sahara, Malta, and Los Angeles. As Wikipedia notes, Nolan described the project as the largest and most challenging production of his career.
A Boost for Belgian Cinema
The investment signals Kinepolis’s commitment to premium cinematic experiences and could drive cultural tourism to Brussels. The timing of the installation — coinciding with Nolan’s release — underscores the symbiotic relationship between the director’s filmmaking and IMAX’s premium format.
Demand for IMAX 70mm tickets has already proven extraordinary. Reports indicate that fans have crashed ticketing websites for screenings elsewhere, with tickets being resold for up to $1,000 online, reflecting a strong market appetite for premium, differentiated cinema experiences.
What to Watch For
Questions remain about whether Kinepolis will expand IMAX 70mm to other Belgian locations if demand proves strong, and what other upcoming films might be shown in the format. For now, Brussels joins an elite club of cities offering what many consider the ultimate way to watch a film.
The Odyssey opens in theaters worldwide on July 17, 2026. IMAX 70mm tickets for Kinepolis Brussels go on sale June 11.