Spider-Man fans can catch Brand New Day in IMAX despite Odyssey’s takeover — here’s how
A new IMAX schedule update quietly confirms there’s a way to catch Spider-Man: Brand New Day on those towering screens soon — with a couple of catches.
If you‘ve been twiddling your thumbs waiting to see Spider-Man: Brand New Day in a proper IMAX cinema — and getting a bit impatient about it — there‘s finally light at the end of this baffling tunnel. The latest Marvel blockbuster starring Tom Holland and Zendaya landed in UK and US cinemas last week, but here‘s the surreal bit: you couldn‘t catch it on those massive IMAX screens in North America, thanks to an exclusive deal that had those venues all locked up by The Odyssey (yes, really). Not exactly what you‘d expect for a Marvel tentpole.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day has already pulled in a jaw-dropping $927 million worldwide, giving it the second-biggest opening ever behind Avengers: Endgame.
So, if you were wondering why you‘re squinting at Spidey swings on a regular screen — but cinema-goers in China, Japan and South Korea got the full IMAX treatment straight away — that‘s why. At least now things are about to change.
IMAX Release Finally Set
With Christopher Nolan‘s big IMAX epic wrapping up its three-week stranglehold on the format, Sony Pictures and IMAX announced that Spider-Man: Brand New Day will finally get its shot in North American IMAX cinemas from 6 August 2026. If you‘ve been holding out for big bass and retina-melting visuals, that‘s your date. Apparently you‘ve just got to wait for Nolan to finish his annual tradition of swallowing all available IMAX screens whole before Spidey gets a look in.
Of course, other countries didn‘t mess about. Brand New Day was released in IMAX from day one in places like China and South Korea, and they‘ve already made the most of it.
Records, Money, and More Records
No surprise then that Spidey has been printing money — even before US audiences get a shot at it in IMAX. To break it down:
- $927 million worldwide launch, no IMAX boost needed in North America
- Currently the second-largest box office opening ever, only Avengers: Endgame did more
- Already banked $23 million from IMAX cinemas overseas
- Biggest IMAX opening weekend for any Spider-Man film in China
- Set the new record for biggest IMAX opening ever in South Korea
The IMAX top brass sounded very pleased (and probably more than a little relieved) about their decision to finally let Peter Parker have a go.
IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond had this to say about Spider-Man‘s continued box office dominance — and yes, he rattled off the receipts:
"Spider-Man has been among the most bankable superheroes at the global box office for over two decades — with the franchise delivering $365 million in IMAX receipts to date — and Brand New Day is taking that legacy to new heights with its record-breaking opening weekend. We believe more Spidey fans around the world will want to experience his latest adventure in IMAX — and we hope to be a major driver of both new and repeat viewing for the latest hit in this incredible year for moviegoing."
More IMAX Shenanigans Incoming
It‘s not quite all plain sailing from here either. Marvel, for all their box office muscle, have to deal with a repeat of this peculiar IMAX blackout in December when Avengers: Doomsday hits cinemas — another three weeks of exclusive access for The Odyssey. After Spidey‘s turn in the IMAX spotlight, screens will have to be shared again; The Odyssey will still cling on to its IMAX 70MM showings in certain venues.
If you want to catch Spider-Man: Brand New Day on the biggest screen possible, it‘s already out in standard and premium screens worldwide. But if it‘s IMAX you‘re after in the US or Canada, time to circle 6 August 2026 in your calendar.