Spider-Man: Brand New Day had one of the biggest theatrical openings in history, beating Avengers: Endgame's $357 million US domestic record. But until now, fans in North America missed out on one thing: seeing Tom Holland's Spidey swing across a proper IMAX screen. That changes on August 7.
For fans of Marvel's Spider-Man 2 who already know what it feels like to swing through a fully realized New York City, the idea of watching the live-action version on the biggest screen format available is exactly the kind of treat that makes a great film even better.
How The Odyssey bumped Spidey off IMAX screens
Here's the thing: Brand New Day's initial theatrical run launched without IMAX, largely because Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey had locked down those premium screens. The Odyssey made history as the first film shot entirely in IMAX, so it held priority on those auditoriums during its opening window. Brand New Day had to wait its turn.
Now, IMAX has confirmed the two films will actually share screens going forward, running across select digital IMAX locations in America simultaneously. It's a split that works in everyone's favor. The Odyssey keeps its premium run while Brand New Day finally gets the format upgrade it deserved from day one.
What the IMAX version actually adds
Brand New Day was also notably the first film ever shot for Screen X, a 270-degree wraparound format. That production ambition translates well to premium formats, and the IMAX presentation should make the film's standout action sequences hit considerably harder. The Hulk confrontation is the obvious draw, but the aerial swinging sequences across the Manhattan skyline are exactly the kind of wide, kinetic shots that benefit most from a larger aspect ratio and enhanced audio.
IMAX CEO Rich Gelfond put it directly: “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.”
A billion dollars and still climbing
Brand New Day is already tracking toward a billion-dollar global total, with the US domestic record already broken. The IMAX expansion in North America from August 7 gives the film a genuine second wind, targeting both first-time viewers who held out for premium screens and repeat audiences looking for an excuse to go back.
Tickets for the August 7 IMAX run went on sale August 4. A brand-new poster was released alongside the announcement, featuring Spidey mid-swing with Jon Bernthal's Punisher in pursuit during one of the film's key action beats.
For players who have spent hours swinging through every borough in Marvel's Spider-Man 2 guides and know the rhythm of web-slinging better than most, watching Brand New Day on an IMAX screen is about as close as it gets to the real thing without a controller in hand. August 7 is worth marking on the calendar.
