Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Opens to $124.5 Million Domestically
16 verified7 unconfirmed2 contested
Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" opened with $124.5 million at the domestic box office over the weekend, marking the third-largest debut of 2026 and Nolan's biggest worldwide opening ever. The nearly three-hour, R-rated adaptation of Homer's epic poem earned an additional $139.6 million from 73 international markets for a global total of $264.1 million. Universal Pictures produced the film on a $250 million budget, with Matt Damon starring as Odysseus alongside an ensemble cast including Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron. The film received an A CinemaScore from audiences and a 95 percent critics' rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Premium large formats accounted for 53 percent of domestic ticket sales, with IMAX contributing $51.8 million worldwide. Analysts noted the film helped revive a sluggish summer box office after several underperforming releases, with no new wide releases expected until July 31.
What’s verified
"The Odyssey" earned $124.5 million domestically from approximately 3,900 to 3,919 theaters.
The film collected $139.6 million internationally from 73 markets, totaling $264.1 million globally.
It is the third-largest domestic opening of 2026, behind "Toy Story 5" ($159 million) and "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" ($131 million).
The production budget was $250 million.
The film is rated R and received an A CinemaScore and a 95 percent critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Males made up 56 percent of ticket buyers, and half of the audience was between ages 18 and 34.
Premium large formats contributed 53 percent of domestic revenue; IMAX accounted for $51.8 million globally (23 percent of worldwide ticket sales).
"The Odyssey" is the first feature shot entirely with IMAX cameras.
Matt Damon stars as Odysseus; the cast includes Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron.
"Moana" finished second with $19 million in its second weekend.
"Toy Story 5" and "Minions & Monsters" tied for third, each grossing $14.8 million.
"Toy Story 5" has earned $430 million domestically and $958 million globally.
"Minions & Monsters" has earned $136-137 million domestically and $323 million globally.
No new wide releases are scheduled until "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" on July 31.
The opening surpasses Nolan's previous global debut record held by "The Dark Knight Rises" ($249 million).
Nolan's "Oppenheimer" opened to $82.4 million domestically and earned $975 million globally.
Where accounts differ
The number of domestic theaters: one source reports 3,919 theaters, while another reports 3,900.
The domestic total for "Minions & Monsters": one source reports $137 million, while another reports $136 million.
Not yet confirmed
The film's marketing budget was reported as $125 million in one source but not mentioned in the other.
Specific producer credits (Emma Thomas and Syncopy) appeared in only one source.
"Supergirl" earned $69.9 million domestically and $120 million globally, but these figures come from a single source.
"Evil Dead Burn" grossed roughly $5 million in its second weekend, reported only in one source.
A24's "The Invite" earned $3.9 million over the weekend and $15 million total, reported only in one source.
The impact of the World Cup final on international audiences was mentioned in only one source.
The role of Penelope (played by Anne Hathaway) was named in only one source.
Key figures
Christopher Nolan (director, writer)
Matt Damon (Odysseus)
Tom Holland (cast)
Anne Hathaway (Penelope)
Robert Pattinson (cast)
Lupita Nyong'o (cast)
Zendaya (cast)
Charlize Theron (cast)
Jim Orr (Universal domestic distribution president)
Michael O'Leary (Cinema United president and CEO)
David A. Gross (box office analyst)
Rich Gelfond (CEO of IMAX)
Paul Dergarabedian (Rentrak head of marketplace trends)
Emma Thomas (producer)
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter
