Christopher Nolan’s big-budget adaptation of Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey is set to make a whopping $257.8 million worldwide in its opening weekend, making it the third-biggest global debut of 2026. It is Nolan’s first Greek mythology film and first all-star ensemble, which also melds large-scale practical filmmaking with IMAX spectacle. Expectations are building for the film since its release, which is widely expected to be one of the biggest box office events of the year. 

Early projections suggest the film is not only poised for a blockbuster debut but could also rewrite Nolan's box office history. 

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is set to debut with a stellar $257.8 million globally, including $120.5 million from North America and $137.3 million from 73 international markets. The projected debut would be the third-largest global opening of 2026, and will also be the biggest worldwide opening of Nolan’s career, Deadline reported. The filmmaker’s latest epic is tipped to beat the international opening of both The Dark Knight Rises and Oppenheimer, underlining the huge excitement around the adaptation of Homer’s legendary poem. 

Nolan has also chalked up a landmark success at the domestic box office. The Odyssey, which earned $51.2 million on Friday and in preview screenings, is on track to open with $120.5 million in the United States and Canada this weekend. If the projections hold, it will be the biggest live-action opening of 2026 in North America, as per the same Deadline report. 

The Odyssey is also rewriting overseas records with what is projected to be Nolan’s biggest international debut to date. The film is expected to be the director’s biggest opening in 45 markets, including France, Italy, Spain, Poland, the Netherlands, and Brazil. The film’s strong overseas performance further puts it among the biggest international openings ever for an R-rated film, further cementing its blockbuster status beyond studio milestones. 

Christopher Nolan Removed the Most Heartbreaking Part of Penelope’s Story in 'The Odyssey'

The impressive box office projections have been matched by equally enthusiastic reactions, with critics and moviegoers praising the film's scale, performances, and cinematic ambition. 

The Odyssey has also been praised by critics and audiences alike. The film has scored very highly on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising the large-scale IMAX filming of Christopher Nolan, as well as its ambitious action sequences and visual storytelling. Matt Damon as Odysseus and Tom Holland as Telemachus have also been singled out for their performances. 

Additionally, the movie momentum has translated into non-Western markets, with India becoming one of its biggest international territories. Nolan’s The Odyssey had its historic premiere in Mumbai, marking the first time he has showcased one of his films in India. Advanced sales of tickets had already been witnessed before its release, which is because the director enjoys an enormous number of fans in the country, 

The Odyssey is shaping up to be one of the most successful films of Nolan’s career, with record-breaking projections for the domestic and international markets. If the estimates hold, the epic will have the biggest opening weekend of the director’s career and will be one of the biggest theatrical releases of 2026. The film has strong reviews, and the audience response has been rapturous. It has all the ingredients to sustain its momentum well beyond opening weekend and become another landmark achievement in Nolan’s celebrated filmography.

Christopher Nolan Says 'The Odyssey' Pushed Him to His Limit as He Plans a Multi-Year Break From Hollywood

Can The Odyssey surpass its record-breaking opening projections and become Christopher Nolan's highest-grossing film of all time?