Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Storms Box Office With $264M Global Opening Despite Casting Backlash

• Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated epic “The Odyssey” has opened with a massive $264.1 million worldwide debut, marking the biggest opening weekend of the filmmaker’s career.

• The film earned $124.5 million in North America and $139.6 million internationally, ranking among the biggest movie openings of 2026 despite its R rating and nearly three-hour runtime.

• Starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway and Zendaya, the film adapts Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem about Odysseus’ dangerous journey home after the Trojan War and was shot entirely with IMAX cameras.

• “The Odyssey” continues Christopher Nolan’s box office success following “Oppenheimer,” which earned nearly $1 billion worldwide after its 2023 release and became one of his most successful films.

July 20, () — Released on Friday, July 17, Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” made a powerful debut at the global box office, earning $264.1 million in its opening weekend and becoming the filmmaker’s biggest-ever worldwide opening.

The epic adventure earned $124.5 million in the United States and Canada, making it one of the biggest openings of 2026. International markets contributed $139.6 million, with the film launching across 73 markets during its first weekend.

Based on Homer’s ancient Greek poem, “The Odyssey” follows Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, as he faces a dangerous journey home after the Trojan War.

The film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, alongside Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o and Charlize Theron.

With a reported production budget of about $250 million, the film is one of Nolan’s most ambitious projects to date.

Universal Pictures backed the adaptation following the success of “Oppenheimer,” which earned nearly $1 billion worldwide and won multiple awards.

The film also became the first feature shot entirely with IMAX cameras, helping drive strong demand for premium screenings and large-format theatres during its opening weekend.

Casting Debate Before Release

Before arriving in cinemas, “The Odyssey” faced online criticism over some casting choices, including Lupita Nyong’o’s role as Helen of Troy and Elliot Page’s casting as Sinon, a Greek warrior in the film.

Page, a transgender man, became part of the discussion after some critics questioned the casting decision, while others defended Nolan’s approach to adapting the ancient epic with a modern cast.

Nolan’s Biggest Opening Yet

The strong debut marks another major box office achievement for Nolan, whose filmography includes “Inception,” “Interstellar,” “Dunkirk” and “The Dark Knight” trilogy.

The film surpassed the opening weekend of “The Dark Knight Rises,” which earned $249 million globally in 2012, and also opened higher than “Oppenheimer,” which debuted with $180 million worldwide before becoming a long-running box office success.

Despite being based on a centuries-old Greek poem rather than an existing franchise, “The Odyssey” attracted moviegoers with Nolan’s reputation, its international cast and its large-scale cinematic experience.

“The Odyssey” is currently showing in cinemas worldwide.