‘The Odyssey’ Is Christopher Nolan’s Biggest Movie Ever

“The Odyssey” has notched two major box office milestones over the weekend. The big-budget adaptation of Homer’s original epic is officially Christopher Nolan‘s biggest movie ever with $1.1 billion, ranking ahead of 2012’s “The Dark Knight Rises” with $1.08 billion, not adjusted for inflation. And the sword-and-sandal adventure is Imax’s highest-grossing release of all time with $289 million, overtaking 2009’s “Avatar” with $271 million, not adjusted for inflation.

It’s currently the second-biggest movie of the year behind “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” with $1.67 billion, as well as the second-highest grossing R-rated release of all time following 2024’s “Deadpool and Wolverine” with $1.3 billion.

These benchmarks are significant because “The Odyssey” isn’t close to winding down its theatrical run. So far, the R-rated movie has generated $461 million domestically and $643 million internationally for a combined tally of $1.1 billion globally. That’s after collecting a staggering $110 million globally, including $79 million overseas and $31.5 million domestically, in its fourth weekend of release. And “The Odyssey” doesn’t open in China, the second-biggest moviegoing market, until Aug. 14.

Nolan, the most bankable director of his generation, became a box office draw through hits like “The Dark Knight” trilogy, “Inception,” “Dunkirk” and “Interstellar.” His movies have grossed a combined $7 billion globally, including three — “The Odyssey,” 2009’s “The Dark Knight” and “The Dark Knight Rises” — that crossed the coveted billion-dollar mark. Meanwhile 2023’s “Oppenheimer,” the filmmaker’s first Oscar-best picture winner, was pretty close with $975 million, a remarkable tally for a three-hour historical biopic.

“A singular filmmaker with the international following of Christopher Nolan is uniquely fit to adapt Homer’s ancient poem, which is one of the most influential and well-known stories in the world,” said Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, Universal’s president of international distribution. “’The Odyssey’ is a global epic that has resonated with audiences everywhere with its massive scope and uncompromising vision.”

“The Odyssey,” starring Matt Damon as the Greek king Odysseus, is notable as the first feature shot entirely with Imax cameras. (Other tentpoles incorporate Imax’s technology for select sequences.) In North America, “The Odyssey” has generated $147.3 million in Imax to stand as the company’s biggest domestic release to date. International markets have accounted for $141.8 million — and that’s before the film lands in China, where Imax has roughly 800 screens. Already “The Odyssey” has generated $6.3 million from preview screenings in China.

Meanwhile Imax 70mm formats — otherwise known as Nolan’s preferred viewing experience — have contributed $37.5 million from just 41 locations globally, representing 14% of the company’s total grosses. Given the scarcity of 70mm auditoriums, many of those locations are sold out through September.

“We had the very highest of hopes for The Odyssey from the start,” says Imax’s CEO Richard Gelfond. “But it somehow continues to exceed them, and its historic performance is headlining what we expect will be our best year ever at the global box office.”