The most anticipated film for 2026 has just smashed box office records in its opening weekend.

Despite all the controversial and “woke” chatter about it prior to release, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has been well and truly embraced by Australian audiences, grossing the box office with an impressive $13.4 million and delivering Universal’s third-biggest Australian opening weekend of all time. In front of it still sits Jurassic World at $16 million and Fast & Furious 7 at $14.66 million.

If you want to know if it’s truly worth the watch – read our honest review here.

Over the weekend, moviegoers filled traditional cinemas and IMAX, to appreciate the adaptation of Homer’s mythical classic in a way it was intended to be viewed.

“The way Australian audiences have embraced Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has been extraordinary. Even before the film opened, the level of demand was unlike anything we had seen for an original film in some time, with cinemas adding midnight and even 6am sessions across the opening weekend to give moviegoers more opportunities to experience it on the big screen,” Mike Baard, Managing Director, Universal Pictures International Australasia, said in a statement.

“What has been particularly exciting is seeing audiences actively seeking out the experience that is right for them. Whether it’s on the biggest screens, in premium and luxury cinemas, on 70mm film, or at their favourite local cinema, people clearly want the elevated experience of seeing The Odyssey in a cinema. Exhibitors across the country have responded enthusiastically, adding sessions and opening ticket sales weeks in advance to meet that demand.

“A $13.4 million opening weekend is an extraordinary result, but what is most exciting for us is the enthusiasm behind those numbers. To see cinemas full, early-morning and midnight sessions selling, and audiences seeking out so many different ways to experience the film is incredibly rewarding.”

Leading up to its release, few expected the film to achieve the 95 per cent positive rating it currently holds on Rotten Tomatoes.

There was much chatter about Lupita Nyong’o taking on the iconic role of Helen of Troy, and Elliot Page as the Greek soldier Sinon, spearheaded by comments from Elon Musk.

“Chris Nolan desecrated Homer and grovelled on his knees just to meet the woke rules required to win an Oscar. What a worm,” he vomited on X.

Even the lack of movement from Anne Hathaway’s forehead as Penelope got some airtime on social media.

The Odyssey is an ancient Greek epic poem by Homer that follows the hero Odysseus (Matt Damon) on his gruelling, ten-year journey home to the island of Ithaca after the fall of Troy.

While Odysseus is out at sea battling wrathful gods, terrifying monsters, and enchanting temptresses like Circe and Calypso, his wife Penelope (Anne Hathaway) and son Telemachus (Tom Holland) are dealing with their own crisis back home.

Assuming Odysseus is dead, a violent mob of suitors invade his palace, forcing Odysseus to finally return home and reclaim his kingdom by outsmarting his enemies in disguise.

The Odyssey is in cinemas now.