{"id":700709,"date":"2026-07-19T23:51:11","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T23:51:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/700709\/"},"modified":"2026-07-19T23:51:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T23:51:11","slug":"the-odyssey-sets-new-record-for-christopher-nolan-with-stunning-box-office-opening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/700709\/","title":{"rendered":"The Odyssey sets new record for Christopher Nolan with stunning box-office opening"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"3\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">The Odyssey has set an impressive new record for Christopher Nolan with its stunning box-office debut. The fantasy action movie hit cinemas this weekend and has already raked in a whopping $264.1 million across the world.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"9\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">According to <a href=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/2026\/film\/box-office\/the-odyssey-box-office-christopher-nolan-opening-weekend-shatters-expectations-1236815861\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/variety.com\/2026\/film\/box-office\/the-odyssey-box-office-christopher-nolan-opening-weekend-shatters-expectations-1236815861\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Variety\" data-node-id=\"9.1.0\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\">Variety<\/a>, this figure makes The Odyssey Nolan&#8217;s biggest ever global opening, knocking 2012&#8217;s The Dark Knight Rises ($249 million) off the top spot. It also surpasses 2009&#8217;s The Dark Knight and 2023&#8217;s Oppenheimer, which earned $198 million and $180 million, respectively. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"13\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">In the US, The Odyssey has generated $124.5 million from 3,919 cinemas, almost half of the worldwide total. Across the rest of the globe, the movie pulled in $139.6 million from 73 markets. <\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"matt damon, the odyssey\" title=\"Matt Damon, The Odyssey\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"3074\" height=\"2049\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/a56ff9d3-2f91-495b-9e4c-c2d3ec557179.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Universal<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"18\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/a29669\/uk-film-release-dates\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/a29669\/uk-film-release-dates\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"UK film release dates\" data-node-id=\"18.0.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">UK film release dates<\/a> <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"22\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">Almost eight months into the year, The Odyssey has also landed the third-largest US opening of 2026, following Toy Story 5 ($159 million) and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie ($131 million).<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"26\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">However, while the latter two are PG-rated family-friendly flicks, the former is limited to audiences aged 15 and up (or R-rated in the US), making its opening even more impressive.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"31\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">Adapted from Homer&#8217;s epic poem, The Odyssey tells the story of King Odysseus as he makes the perilous journey back to Ithaca, following the Trojan War. His voyage is filled with dangerous creatures, while his kingdom and family are under a different threat amid his absence. <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"35\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">The movie, which is written and directed by Nolan, boasts an impressive cast, with Matt Damon as Odysseus and Anne Hathaway playing his wife Penelope. Robert Pattinson stars as the sinister Antinous, locking horns with Tom Holland&#8217;s Telemachus, who isn&#8217;t ready for a new father figure. <\/p>\n<p><img draggable=\"true\" alt=\"anne hathaway, tom holland, the odyssey\" title=\"Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, The Odyssey\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"4000\" height=\"2667\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" style=\"color:transparent;width:100%;height:auto;\"   src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/10f7d483-e86c-411b-ace1-6d2f631d6227.jpg\" class=\"css-0 e1ddfba50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Universal<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"40\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">Related: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/a73175870\/christopher-nolan-next-film-after-odyssey\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/a73175870\/christopher-nolan-next-film-after-odyssey\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Christopher Nolan reveals wait time for his next film after The Odyssey\" data-node-id=\"40.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Christopher Nolan reveals wait time for his next film after The Odyssey<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"44\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">Lupita Nyong&#8217;o has a dual role as both Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra, while Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Elliot Page, Jon Bernthal and Mia Goth also feature.  <\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"48\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">&#8220;Christopher Nolan is the only filmmaker working today who could take an ancient story like this, attract a cast as sprawling and accomplished as this, and make it a pop culture event,&#8221; said David A. Gross, who publishes the box office newsletter FranchiseRe. &#8220;Nolan has become a unique and singular talent, with a loyal and enthusiastic following.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"52\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">The Odyssey is out in cinemas now.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"57\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">Visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a70049607\/streaming-guide\/\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/tv\/a70049607\/streaming-guide\/\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Streaming Guide\" data-node-id=\"57.1\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Streaming Guide<\/a> now to see at a glance where you can view ALL your favourite shows and movies.<\/p>\n<p data-journey-content=\"true\" data-node-id=\"61\" class=\"css-1ncddsh emevuu60\">The new edition of Living Legends, celebrating the global phenomenon of BTS, is here! <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/livinglegendsbts\" data-vars-ga-outbound-link=\"https:\/\/www.hearstmagazines.co.uk\/livinglegendsbts\" data-vars-ga-ux-element=\"Hyperlink\" data-vars-ga-call-to-action=\"Buy this ultimate fan guide in newsagents or online\" data-node-id=\"61.3\" class=\"body-link css-1gyyefe emevuu60\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Buy this ultimate fan guide in newsagents or online<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-dynamic-svg=\"true\" src=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/_assets\/design-tokens\/fre\/static\/images\/logos\/lettermark.05d81be.svg?primary=%2523000\" loading=\"lazy\" data-testid=\"dynamic-svg-base\" height=\"100\" width=\"100\" alt=\"Lettermark\" class=\"css-7mevzh ev8dhu50\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Divya is a freelance writer with experience in entertainment and lifestyle news. Described as a &#8220;telly addict&#8221; since childhood, Divya was able to translate her interests into a BJTC-accredited, Honours degree in Journalism and Media. After working in communications and marketing, Divya joined <a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Digital Spy<\/a>\u00a0as a Freelance News Reporter. She has also written for various publications including\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/metro.co.uk\/author\/divya-soni\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Metro<\/a>,\u00a0Asian World News\u00a0and\u00a0TwitCelebGossip;\u00a0as well as interviews, features and reviews on her own blog. Divya prides herself on her TV,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/movies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">film<\/a>\u00a0and showbiz knowledge, always offering (not so) fun facts to her long-suffering friends and family. From\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/soaps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">soaps<\/a>\u00a0to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.digitalspy.com\/marvel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">superheroes<\/a>, Divya is the go-to person for tailored recommendations\u00a0and up to date information.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Odyssey has set an impressive new record for Christopher Nolan with its stunning box-office debut. The fantasy&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":700710,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[147950,379,232731,381,96,190731,1156,2839,232730,223205,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-700709","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-movies","tag-collection-latest-news","tag-content-type-news","tag-contentid-fe146201-6172-4287-a9f1-c0c61a067e5b","tag-displaytype-standard-article","tag-entertainment","tag-issyndicated-false","tag-locale-gb","tag-movies","tag-shorttitle-the-odyssey-sets-new-record-for-christopher-nolan","tag-sponsored-false","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/700709","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=700709"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/700709\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/700710"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=700709"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=700709"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=700709"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}