Spider-Man swings past IMAX in India as Nolan’s Odyssey claims premium screens

MUMBAI: With great anticipation comes great disappointment, at least for IMAX-loving Spider-Man fans. The revelation that Spider-Man: Brand New Day will not receive an IMAX release in India has surprised moviegoers and Marvel enthusiasts alike. As one of the most eagerly awaited blockbusters of 2026, the absence of an IMAX rollout is an unusual development for a major Marvel tentpole.

The reason, however, has less to do with Spider-Man and more to do with another cinematic giant occupying premium screen real estate this summer: Christopher Nolan.

The primary obstacle is Nolan’s upcoming epic, The Odyssey, which is scheduled to release globally on July 17, 2026. Known for his unwavering commitment to large-format filmmaking, Nolan has once again shot the film entirely using IMAX-certified cameras.

Industry sources indicate that the filmmaker and distributor secured a four-week global IMAX exclusivity window for the release. As a result, IMAX screens worldwide are committed to The Odyssey from July 17 through August 14.

That exclusivity period directly overlaps with the July 30 release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, effectively shutting the Marvel film out of IMAX auditoriums across key markets, including India.

Speculation among fans intensified as advance booking information began surfacing without any IMAX listings attached to the film.

Addressing the concerns, Sony Pictures Entertainment India confirmed that the movie would not be available in IMAX in the country. The studio reassured audiences that several premium large-format alternatives would still be offered to deliver an enhanced theatrical experience.

The confirmation officially ended hopes of a late IMAX rollout and highlighted the growing competition for premium exhibition formats during peak blockbuster season.

While IMAX is off the table, Indian exhibitors are preparing a range of alternative formats for audiences seeking a larger-than-life viewing experience.

Moviegoers will be able to watch Spider-Man: Brand New Day in formats such as 4DX and MX4D, which combine motion seats with environmental effects including wind and water. ScreenX will offer a panoramic 270-degree viewing experience, while ICE theatres provide expanded visual immersion through side-panel projections.

Cinema chains are also expected to push their proprietary premium large-format screens, including giant-screen concepts such as P[XL] and BIGPIX, as substitutes for the unavailable IMAX option.

It is highly unusual for a flagship Marvel release to completely miss out on IMAX availability. Over the past decade, the format has become closely associated with superhero spectacles, often accounting for a significant share of opening-weekend revenues.

This time, however, the battle for premium screens appears to have been decided long before either film reached cinemas. Nolan’s contractual hold on IMAX screens has given The Odyssey exclusive access to one of the industry’s most coveted exhibition formats, leaving Spider-Man to rely on alternative premium experiences.

For Indian fans, the web-slinger will still arrive on the big screen in style. Just not in the giant format many had expected.