Entertainment News

Nolan's 'The Odyssey' opens to $124.5M and $264.1M worldwide, his best start outside Batman

Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey opened with an estimated $124.5 million in North America over the July 17–19 weekend and $139.6 million overseas, Fortune reported, for a global start of about $264 million. Universal's adaptation of Homer, starring Matt Damon, beat the debut of Nolan's best-picture winner Oppenheimer and was his best opening since The Dark Knight Rises in 2012.

Fortune said the film, shot entirely with IMAX cameras, earned $29.6 million domestically and $51.8 million worldwide on IMAX screens, IMAX's best weekend ever. Some 70mm shows went on sale a year early. It reported a $250 million production budget, about $125 million in marketing, 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and an A CinemaScore.

Variety India listed the records: the biggest worldwide opening of Nolan's career, ahead of The Dark Knight Rises ($249 million); the third-biggest R-rated global opening, behind two Deadpool films; and Universal's biggest R-rated opening. In India it took Rs 61.30 crore net over three days, the biggest Hollywood opening there this year.

Variety Australia reported that it was also the biggest opening weekend of 2026 in Australia.

How each outlet framed it

• Fortune — an original-style event in an IP-driven industry, powered by IMAX.
• Variety India — a record list, with the Indian numbers in detail.
• Variety Australia — the local chart, where it topped 2026.

What we don't know yet: Fortune asked how front-loaded the run will be, though strong presales point to a long one.