Interstellar’s Re-Release Almost Beats Kraven The Hunter, Proves The Power Of IMAX

You may have heard that Interstellar is back in theaters for its 10-year anniversary. So, how has it performed?

The fan-favorite is no stranger to box office success. In its original theatrical run, the sci-fi epic grossed$188 million in the United States and was yet another feather in the cap of writer-director Christopher Nolan.

That was November 2014. A decade later, would anyone be interested? Especially with the film screening in less than 200 locations.

You know what they say, “If you screen it, they will come.” Interstellar has grossed a phenomenal $7.83 million in only 6 days. That pushes the domestic total to $195. On Wednesday alone, it made $1.11 million.

To put that into perspective, Kraven the Hunter, the newest superhero film, grossed $2 million on its opening Thursday, and it was in 3,000 theaters.

The Nolan Effect

Two things have contributed to Interstellar’s numbers.

First and foremost, Christopher Nolan. Nolan’s early independent projects like Following and Memento led to his Batman blockbusters. He then combined the two styles into this blend of spectacle and substance. The results have been diverse, thrilling, and lucrative. They’ve made Nolan one of the 21st century’s most beloved artists.

After all, who else could set box office records with a 3-hour biopic about J. Robert Oppenheimer?

That brings us to the second factor. The rise in popularity of IMAX

The IMAX Experience

The reason that Interstellar ​​​​​​is playing in so few theaters is that it’s an IMAX exclusive. Despite the limited locations, it’s been successful because audiences have shown increased interest in the premium theater experience.

When movie tickets were under $10, they were a good excuse to leave the house. Now that they’re way more expensive, combined with the fact that home viewing has drastically improved, people need a good reason to leave the house. IMAX is a good reason. The huge screen and glorious sound system turn watching Interstellar into an event.

How Long can Interstellar Stay in Theaters?

The question now is how long Interstellar will stay in theaters. IMAX announced a third week of screenings. If daily returns stay above the $1 million mark, does that become a fourth? A fifth?

As amazing as that would be to watch, a few major movies are right around the corner. The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Mufasa: The Lion King, and Nosferatu, to name a few. So a fourth week is probably out of the question.

Re-releases are Worth It

Personally, I hope we see more re-releases like this. Maybe they won’t be as successful as Interstellar’s, but there’s a reason the Alamo Drafthouse has a whole time capsule series—people want to see their favorite films on the big screen.

IMAX has tickets available for the 2025 re-issue of David Fincher’s Se7en, starting January 3rd.