Ster-Kinekor has announced record-breaking attendance for the opening of The Odyssey across its nine IMAX locations, signalling a successful season for cinema. The company did not disclose specific attendance figures, but it confirmed it was the largest for an IMAX opening weekend since 2019.
According to Ster-Kinekor, “Cinema is alive and well and thriving,” referring to the considerable turnout at IMAX theatres over the weekend. The film, shot entirely with IMAX Film Cameras, has achieved remarkable success.
As reported by Exhibitor Relations, The Odyssey generated US$263.5 million globally in its opening weekend, surpassing its US$250 million production budget within just three days.
Lynne Wylie, Ster-Kinekor’s chief marketing officer, noted that this opening weekend was the biggest for IMAX since Avengers: Infinity War in 2018, surpassing other hits like Avengers: Endgame and The Lion King in 2019.
“The Odyssey’s opening weekend is now among the best-performing IMAX titles in Ster-Kinekor’s history,” Wylie remarked.
In addition, Ster-Kinekor highlighted that the success of The Odyssey aligns with a strong season for cinemas, noting the historic performance of the musical biopic Michael, which surpassed expectations with a $217 million opening weekend.
Wylie pointed out that cinema attendance in South Africa has been boosted recently by a varied selection of films across genres. Kids’ titles such as Toy Story 5, Minions & Monsters, and Moana have kept younger audiences engaged during the mid-year school holidays.
Ster-Kinekor anticipates continued momentum with several blockbuster releases slated for the coming months, including:
- Spider-Man: Brand New Day — Opening on July 29, 2026
- Street Fighter (Filmed For IMAX) — Opening on October 16, 2026
- The Cat in the Hat (3D) — Opening on November 6, 2026
- The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (IMAX) — Opening on November 20, 2026
- Dune: Chapter 3 (Filmed For IMAX) — Opening on December 18, 2026
- Avengers: Doomsday — Opening on December 18, 2026
- Jumanji: Open World (IMAX) — Opening on December 25, 2026
Following years of declining attendance due to factors such as load-shedding, the Covid-19 pandemic, and streaming services, Ster-Kinekor has made a robust recovery. In 2025, the cinema chain initiated a series of upgrades and renovations while introducing new experiences throughout its complexes, such as luxury cinemas and interactive spaces like the one at The Zone in Rosebank, developed in collaboration with Jozi X.
Ster-Kinekor’s CEO, Mark Sardi, expressed optimism for the future, stating that investments in enhancing the customer experience are beginning to yield positive results. “Cinema is alive and well in South Africa,” he said. “Movie lovers still prefer the experience of watching blockbusters on the big screen.”
Another factor driving increased attendance at Ster-Kinekor theatres is the Throwback Cinema campaign, which offers tickets for screenings of classic films. After initially testing the concept with themed Throwback Thursdays in 2023, the campaign was expanded to a full-week offering due to high demand, screening 107 movies in the last three years.
Wylie noted that attendance at Throwback Cinema surged by 526% in 2024 compared to the previous year, and increased by another 86% in 2025. “The results show that nostalgia remains a significant draw for South African cinema audiences,” she said. “It reinforces the value of the communal experience that cinema provides when iconic films return to the big screen in high-quality form.”
The success of the Throwback Cinema titles has attracted a diverse audience, including families, newer fans experiencing classics for the first time, and long-time cinema enthusiasts.
