CHRISTOPHER NOLAN'S ODYSSEY TAKES £196M IN GLOBAL OPENING WEEKEND

Christopher Nolan's adaptation of Homer's epic poem The Odyssey took US$264m (£196m) at the global box office during its opening weekend, according to studio Universal Pictures. The film, starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway and Zendaya, opened across 73 markets in more than 12,800 locations and 26,000 screens worldwide. In North America alone, the film earned US$124.5m, whilst international markets generated US$139.6m. The opening exceeded Nolan's 2023 film Oppenheimer, which ultimately grossed US$975m globally.

The Odyssey's opening represents Nolan's strongest debut outside the Batman franchise since 2012's The Dark Knight Rises, which opened with US$249m globally, or US$362m when adjusted for inflation. The film, which carries an R rating, cost US$250m to produce and is the first feature shot entirely using Imax cameras. Imax screenings drove substantial ticket sales, with the company recording its best weekend ever; the format accounted for US$29.6m domestically and US$51.8m globally. The UK and Ireland achieved the largest international territory opening with £12.9m across three days, whilst screenings at the BFI Imax cinema in London sold out for the opening weekend.

Universal initially projected a North American opening of US$100m, and the film's actual performance exceeded that forecast. The UK and Ireland market, along with dedicated Imax infrastructure, demonstrated strong audience appetite for Nolan's work. Universal is spending approximately US$125m to market the adaptation. Imax has committed its screens entirely to the film for three weeks.