Christopher Nolan reflects on ‘Interstellar’s legacy and comeback after 10 years

• The film sold out 70mm IMAX screenings within minutes, prompting more showings.
• Ten theaters showcasing the IMAX 70mm format achieved an impressive $70,000 per-screen average.
• Despite initial success, audiences have deeply connected with the film’s themes of love, family, and exploration.

Christopher Nolan’s “Interstellar” has surprised audiences with a remarkable resurgence, captivating viewers a decade after its release. The science fiction epic, starring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway, grossed $4.5 million in a single weekend across 166 screens in the U.S. and Canada.

Theaters sold out 70mm IMAX screenings within minutes, prompting them to add more showings. Resale markets quickly listed tickets for as much as $300.

Ten theaters showcasing the IMAX 70mm format achieved an impressive $70,000 per-screen average, a figure usually reserved for high-profile art-house releases. “The response truly gratified me,” Nolan told 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.”

When “Interstellar” was first released in 2014, Nolan was one of the few filmmakers championing the use of celluloid film as digital technology began to dominate. Nolan recalled that celluloid film was under threat, and digital was taking over. He and his team made a significant investment in IMAX 70mm technology, uncertain about how much longer it would remain viable.

Despite its initial success, including five Oscar nominations and a win for visual effects, the film faced some criticism. Over time, however, audiences have deeply connected with its themes of love, family, and exploration.

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

Nolan saw an opportunity to celebrate *Interstellar*’s 10th anniversary with a North American re-release. IMAX and Paramount backed the initiative, and screenings quickly met overwhelming demand. News spread rapidly on social media, with fans purchasing tickets even before official announcements. In New York, all show times, including 1 a.m. screenings, sold out at AMC Lincoln Square.

Christopher Nolan praised the preservation of the IMAX film reels, saying the prints hadn’t aged a day. After the weekend exceeded expectations, theaters added more screenings, which quickly sold out.

Nolan emphasized that this experience proves to the industry that audiences truly recognize the value of a communal, big-screen theatrical experience, even for films they’ve already seen at home.

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