Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar’s magnificent reappearance in theaters post a decade

Ten years after its first release, Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar has made an unexpected reappearance and captivated fans. With 166 screens in the US and Canada, the science fiction epic, which starred Anne Hathaway and Matthew McConaughey, made $4.5 million in a single weekend.

Theaters had to add more showings after its 70mm IMAX screenings sold out in a matter of minutes. Even tickets sold for as much as $300 on resale marketplaces.

Ten theaters showcasing the IMAX 70mm format in particular achieved an amazing average of $70,000 per screen, which is typical of high-profile arthouse titles.

“I was just so gratified by the response,” Nolan stated in conversation with The Associated Press.

“It’s really thrilling when people respond to your work at any point. But 10 years later, to have new audiences coming and experiencing it in the way that we’d originally intended? It’s really rewarding to see that it continues to have a life.”

Amid an increasing trend toward digital cinema, Nolan was one of the few directors promoting the usage of celluloid film when Interstellar debuted in 2014. Nolan recalled that digital was replacing all media and that celluloid film was in grave danger. Uncertain of how long IMAX 70mm technology would be viable, he and his team made significant investments in it.

The movie received some criticism despite its early popularity, which included five Oscar nominations and a visual effects win.

“People kept telling me what the film meant to them and asking if it was ever going to be re-released,” Nolan said. He noted that many fans who connected with the movie had only watched it at home and longed for the full theater experience.