Director Christopher Nolan's cinematic adaptation of the Homeric epic The Odyssey has passed $1.1 billion at the global box office over the weekend, becoming the filmmaker's highest-grossing movie of all time.
The blockbuster starring Matt Damon as Odysseus set two major financial milestones over the weekend, officially surpassing Nolan's 2012 superhero film The Dark Knight Rises, which held his previous record at $1.08 billion. The feature also established itself as the highest-grossing release in IMAX history by generating $289 million, breaking the previous record of $271 million set by James Cameron's Avatar in 2009.
The Odyssey currently stands as the second highest-grossing film of the year globally, positioned behind Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which has grossed $1.67 billion. It also ranks as the second highest-grossing R-rated movie in cinema history, behind the 2024 release Deadpool & Wolverine, which earned $1.3 billion.
According to figures reported by Variety, the film has generated $461 million at the domestic box office in the United States and Canada alongside $643 million from international territories, bringing its global total to $1.1 billion. During its fourth weekend in theaters alone, the production collected $110 million worldwide, comprising $79 million from overseas markets and $31.5 million domestically.
Global Earnings and Director Milestones
The financial achievements arrive as the movie prepares for further global expansion. The film has not yet opened in China, which represents the second-largest theatrical market in the world. Variety reported that the movie is scheduled to make its official premiere in Chinese cinemas on August 14.
With total ticket sales across his filmography now exceeding $7 billion, Nolan is widely recognized as one of the most commercially successful directors in contemporary cinema. The Odyssey marks the third film in his career to surpass the $1 billion mark, joining The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises. His 2023 historical biopic Oppenheimer, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture, reached $975 million globally despite its three-hour runtime.
Premiering in Greek theaters on July 16, The Odyssey holds additional distinction as the first feature film shot entirely using specialized IMAX cameras. The narrative follows Odysseus on his prolonged and perilous journey home to the island of Ithaca following the conclusion of the decade-long Trojan War.
Cast and Production Background
Damon leads an ensemble cast that features Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Samantha Morton, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong'o, Elliot Page, Jon Bernthal and John Leguizamo. Reports indicate that Nolan spent two decades developing and planning the epic adaptation prior to production.
The film's release has generated broader cultural interest, with language learning platforms reporting a 5,000 percent surge in individuals seeking to learn modern and ancient Greek in Great Britain following its theatrical debut.
The film expands into Chinese theaters on August 14, according to Variety, marking its debut in the world's second-largest cinematic market.
