Interstellar is one of Christopher Nolan’s most powerful and underrated projects, but the movie’s recent IMAX re-release has proven that it’s become just as beloved as the rest of the auteur’s filmography. The film was originally released in 2014, hot off the heels of movies such as Inception and The Dark Knight - and Interstellar didn’t originally get the love it deserved. The movie takes place in the near future and follows a group of astronauts as they search for a suitable colony planet for humanity, whose original home is being destroyed by an ecological disaster.#

Although Interstellar has often been underrated by fans, the film’s limited re-release serves as evidence that it’s only become more popular over time. Nolan’s film recently played in IMAX theaters across America to celebrate its 10-year anniversary, and it outperformed everybody’s expectations. Interstellar made another $8.5 million domestically, which is very impressive for a film that was originally released a whole decade ago. The movie was only shown in a limited number of IMAX theaters, too, which makes the accomplishment even greater.

Interstellar's Most Recent Box Office Success Shows Christopher Nolan Movies Own IMAX

The Director's Catalog Is Tailor-Made For The IMAX Experience

With Interstellar’s recent box office achievement, Christopher Nolan has once again proven that his movies go hand-in-hand with the IMAX format. The filmmaker has been one of the most vocal figures over the past few years in the discussion regarding how films are intended to be viewed, with Nolan advocating for the theatrical experience at every turn. His movies are large in both scale and narrative scope, which isn’t something that creates the same effect on a small television at home.

Several of Nolan’s movies were originally shot with IMAX cameras, and this is the format that he wants audiences to experience when watching his work. Obviously, this isn’t always possible given the limited number of IMAX screens across the country - so the fact that people were so excited to watch Interstellar on an even bigger screen is brilliant news for the future of the moviegoing experience. Nolan’s next movie will push the boundaries of IMAX filmmaking even further, so this Interstellar re-release couldn’t have come at a better time to prove that it’s what audiences want.

Interstellar Made Over $21 Million Total From Rereleases In 2024

The Film Was Released Several Times This Year

In addition to its limited IMAX run this December, Interstellar has also been re-released across the world in multiple different formats to celebrate the film’s anniversary. In total, the film has grossed an additional $21 million at the box office this year - which s for just a small portion of its overall intake, but still proves how well Interstellar has aged (via Box Office Mojo). The fact that people still wanted to spend money to watch an IMAX showing of this movie, which is readily available on streaming services across the world, speaks volumes about how timeless and beloved Interstellar is.

In the years since its release, Interstellar has often found itself in the conversation for the best-looking film of the decade - which likely contributed to many audience’s desires to see it in its full glory.

In the years since its release, Interstellar has often found itself in the conversation for the best-looking film of the decade - which likely contributed to many audience’s desires to see it in its full glory. The film has gorgeous cinematography, impeccable sound design, and intricate visuals that simply don’t have the same effect on a small screen, and much of the film’s improved reputation can likely be put down to audiences finally experiencing it the way it was intended.

Why Christopher Nolan's Movies Work So Well In IMAX

The Filmmaker Knows How To Make The Most Of The Format

There are several reasons that Christopher Nolan’s movies, perhaps more than any other working director’s, are associated so firmly with the IMAX format. The most obvious is their connected visual style - all of Nolan’s movies benefit from striking visuals and advanced special effects. This is most evident in his sci-fi movies, such as Interstellar or Inception, but it’s also true in his more grounded, dramatic works like Oppenheimer and Dunkirk. They all have sharp, precise cinematography that helps immerse the viewer in the story, and this works most strongly in the IMAX format.

Additionally, Nolan is one of the few mainstream filmmakers who creates his films with the intention of having them shown in IMAX, rather than shooting them for widescreen and retrofitting them after the fact. This is massively important, and it’s the main reason why his movies look so arresting and impactful on the big screen. He’s a real technician when it comes to optimizing the visuals of his movies, and their large-scale narratives help give this a real purpose and form. Interstellar is just one example of this, and its re-release has likely proven the fact to many audiences.