NEW YORK — Christopher Nolan’s latest film, "The Odyssey," opened to an estimated $124.5 million in domestic ticket sales and an additional $139.6 million internationally, totaling a $264.1 million global debut. This marks Nolan’s best opening since 2012’s "The Dark Knight Rises" and surpasses the debut of his 2023 best picture-winning film, "Oppenheimer."

The Universal production, adapted from Homer’s epic poem, was a significant gamble with a $250 million production budget, ranking it among the most expensive R-rated movies ever made. Despite this, Nolan’s strong box-office draw generated immense hype, with IMAX releasing tickets for some 70 mm showings a full year in advance.

"The Odyssey" premiered during what has been described as Hollywood’s best summer since 2019, with ticket sales running approximately 10% ahead of last year, according to Rentrak. IMAX also reported that presales for the film’s second weekend are among their top 10 best, indicating sustained audience interest in premium viewing formats.

Few filmmakers today could successfully transform a classic literary work into a major summer blockbuster, but Nolan’s unique appeal continues to attract large audiences worldwide.

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