Cinema VinesChristopher Nolan’s newest epic, The Odyssey, has shattered box‑office expectations with a global opening of $264.1 million in its first three days, the largest debut of any film directed by the British filmmaker. The figure includes $124.5 million from the United States and Canada, and the movie has already eclipsed the worldwide opening of Nolan’s 2012 blockbuster The Dark Knight Rises, which pulled in $249 million.
Matt Damon stars as the legendary hero Odysseus, guiding audiences through a perilous return from the Trojan War. The film also features Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Charlize Theron and Lupita N’yongo in key roles. Production costs topped $250 million, but the film’s strong word‑of‑mouth and critical acclaim—an A CinemaScore from opening‑night audiences and a 97% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes—have propelled it to record‑setting numbers.
In North America, the picture ranks third among Nolan’s highest‑grossing openings, behind The Dark Knight Rises and The Dark Knight. However, when international receipts are factored in, The Odyssey claims the top spot, a feat that, while not beating the Batman films when adjusted for inflation, still marks a new milestone for the director.
Universal Pictures, the studio behind the release, announced the worldwide haul on Sunday. The film’s performance is already on track to challenge the billion‑dollar mark that both The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises have achieved, a target that Oppenheimer fell just short of in 2023 with a $915 million global total.
Ticket demand for The Odyssey began building a year ago when select IMAX venues opened pre‑sales. The premium format drew 23% of U.S. and Canadian viewers, and IMAX reported that over 50 theatres added midnight to 7 a.m. showings to meet the surge. IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond highlighted the company’s strongest presales ever, with $50 million booked in advance.
