Cinema is alive and well and thriving if the audience numbers who flocked to IMAX cinemas this past weekend is a measurement. Ster-Kinekor recorded record-breaking attendances for the release of The Odyssey, shot entirely with IMAX Film Cameras. The much-anticipated film secured the biggest IMAX box-office opening weekend for the country’s leading exhibitor across its nine IMAX sites nationwide, and recording numerous sold-out shows, since 2019.
According to data from Exhibitor Relations, The Odyssey generated a massive $263.5-million globally during its opening weekend, which instantly cleared the film’s reported $250-million production budget in just three days.
The unprecedented turnout places the cinematic epic alongside some of the biggest global properties in modern box-office history.
“For Ster-Kinekor, this is the biggest IMAX opening weekend since 2019, when we saw the likes of The Avengers: Infinity War in 2018, and The Avengers: Endgame and The Lion King in 2019 recording major box office figures in IMAX,” says Lynne Wylie, Chief Marketing Officer of Ster-Kinekor Theatres. “The Odysseyopening weekend officially ranks as one of the best-performing IMAX titles on opening weekend in Ster-Kinekor’s history.”
Global phenomenon: Michael grosses $1-billion
The record-breaking opening run of The Odyssey builds on an already phenomenal season for cinema. The musical biopic Michael has also officially made history as the first biographical film to surpass $1-billion at the worldwide box office. Following a shattered expectation of a $217-million opening weekend, the film has cemented its status as one of the most commercially successful music biopics of all time.
Audiences who have not yet witnessed this global phenomenon can still catch Michaelat select Ster-Kinekor cinemas countrywide.
Mid-year magic, upcoming blockbusters
“Cinema attendance has been consistently anchored by a diverse, high-calibre slate of entertainment across genres over the past few months. The mid-year school holiday titles kept younger audiences entertained with a wonderful selection of kids’ titles that are still on circuit for those who missed out, including Toy Story 5, Minions & Monsters, and Moana,” comments Wylie.
This momentum is set to accelerate with a slew of major blockbuster titles launching over the coming weeks and months in both IMAX and other Ster-Kinekor cinema formats, including:
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day – opening on 29 July 2026
- Street Fighter (Filmed For IMAX) – opening on 16 October 2026
- The Cat in the Hat (3D) – opening on 06 November 2026
- The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (IMAX) – opening on 20 November 2026
- Dune: Chapter 3 (Filmed For IMAX) – opening on 18 December 2026
- Avengers: Dooms Day – opening on 18 December 2026
- Jumanji: Open World (IMAX) – opening on 25 December 2026
Local talent on the global stage
Looking ahead to the new year, South African audiences have another home-grown milestone to celebrate. Releasing on 15 January 2027 in IMAX, Children of Blood and Bone. The movie features celebrated South African actress Thuso Mbedu in the leading role as the protagonist, Zélie Adebola. Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the film was shot entirely on location across South Africa. Mbedu leads a star-studded global cast that includes Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Cynthia Erivo.
Experience it as the director intended
With an elite slate of films spanning IMAX and premium commercial formats, the cinema environment offers an experience that streaming platforms simply cannot replicate.
“With a list of blockbuster titles releasing across IMAX and Ster-Kinekor’s other cinema formats, there really is no better time than now to be watching these incredible movies as the directors made them to be seen – on the big screen with surround sound in the magic of a darkened cinema,” concludes Wylie. “We encourage moviegoers to book now to watch The Odyssey as its IMAX release is a powerful and fully immersive viewing experience.”
Ster-Kinekor’s IMAX cinemas are situated at the following sites: Eastgate, The Zone @Rosebank, Mall of Africa, and Cradlestone in Johannesburg, The Grove in Tshwane, Baywest in Gqeberha, and at V&A Waterfront, Blue Route and CapeGate in Cape Town.
Bookings are now open, so get your tickets on the new-look website at www.sterkinekor.com or download the new-look SK App on your smartphone. For news and updates, go to Facebook: Ster-Kinekor Theatres | follow Ster-Kinekor on Twitter: @Ster-Kinekor. For all queries, call Ticketline on 0861-Movies (668 437).
