AceShowbiz - The film Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has launched with a staggering global opening weekend box office of $264.1 million, surpassing the previous record set by The Dark Knight Rises with $249 million to become Nolan’s biggest worldwide debut.

The three-hour historical epic earned $124.5 million domestically across nearly 4,000 theaters, marking the top live-action opening of 2026 in North America. Internationally, it pulled in $139.6 million from 73 markets on 25,600 screens, setting Nolan’s largest debut ever in 48 countries including France, Spain, Italy, Brazil, and India. Premium formats played a significant role, with IMAX screenings contributing $51.8 million globally, aided by record-breaking openings in 26 territories. IMAX and other premium large formats accounted for 53% of the domestic box office revenue. The film’s opening weekend audience was notably drawn by Nolan’s involvement, with exit polls showing half the attendees came primarily for the director himself.

Christopher Nolan is the screenwriter and director of The Odyssey, which reimagines Homer’s epic tale with a star-studded cast including Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, and Tom Holland. This marks Nolan’s highest-grossing worldwide opening, surpassing even the success of his previous blockbusters like Oppenheimer and the Batman trilogy. The film was shot in multiple international locations and is the first feature shot entirely on IMAX film, emphasizing Nolan’s passion for immersive cinematic experiences. Universal Pictures has hailed the film as a culturally resonant story that unites global audiences, with Nolan and producer Emma Thomas continuing to push boundaries in ambitious filmmaking.

The significance of The Odyssey's opening lies not only in its box office dominance but in setting a new benchmark for event cinema in 2026. It highlights the enduring global appeal of Nolan’s filmmaking style and the appetite for epic storytelling on premium formats. With the film yet to open in major markets like China, South Korea, and Japan, its box office momentum is expected to grow, potentially solidifying its place as one of the year’s top earners and a milestone in Nolan’s career.