While Grand Lake Theater screens Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' in 70mm, some moviegoers are questioning the projection quality; here are the showtimes, prices, and what to know before you go.

Here's how to see The Odyssey in 70mm at Oakland's Grand Lake Theater, and what you should know about the print quality. Director Christopher Nolan's sprawling epic is playing daily in the cinema's main Auditorium #1, a chance to see the film projected in its intended analog format. But for some cinéastes, the format comes with questions.

The Grand Lake Theater, 3200 Grand Avenue, is showing The Odyssey (running 172 minutes) at 11:30 a.m., 3:15 p.m., and 7:00 p.m. General admission for 70mm screenings is $15, with Child/Senior tickets at $11.50, and matinees before 6 p.m. priced at $9.50. Tuesdays offer a steep discount at $6 for all admissions, including 70mm, but beware: the theater's website notes this excludes "Special Engagements." As of this writing, it's unconfirmed if The Odyssey qualifies as one, so call ahead (510-452-3556) if a Tuesday show is your plan. These new pricing tiers began July 24, 2026.

The draw here is the 70mm presentation, a rare opportunity given the industry's shift to digital. Part of owner Allen Michaan's vision for the historic 1926 theater (designated one of the nation's top vintage cinemas) has been maintaining analogue projection. However, some recent moviegoers have raised questions about the fidelity of the 70mm projection, with one Reddit user specifically recalling a less-than-stellar experience with Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in 2019 and asking if The Odyssey looks better. While specific technical details on print condition aren't publicly available, the conversation highlights that even at a dedicated film house, 70mm can be an imperfect, yet still singular, experience.

Your insider tip: Arrive early for the matinee shows or on a Tuesday (if you confirm the discount still applies) to snag the best seats in the cavernous main auditorium. Parking can be found on surrounding streets, but public transit via BART (Lake Merritt station, then a short bus or walk) or local AC Transit is always a smart move.

If I only had two hours, I'd go for the 3:15 p.m. show, grab a cheap matinee ticket, and judge the 70mm quality for myself. You won't find showtimes or tickets on Fandango; purchase them directly at the box office.

Drew Bennett, Things to Do.