'The Odyssey' earns record-breaking $264M global box office debut

The Odyssey delivered a record-breaking opening weekend, earning $264 million worldwide and $124.5 million domestically, marking the biggest global debut of Christopher Nolan's career.

The epic adaptation of Homer's classic surpassed Nolan's previous worldwide opening record, set by The Dark Knight Rises, which debuted with $249 million in 2012. While that figure would be higher when adjusted for inflation, The Odyssey now holds the director's biggest unadjusted global opening, as per Entertainment Weekly.

Christopher Nolan sets new career milestone

The strong debut continues Nolan's box office momentum following the success of Oppenheimer, which opened to $174 million globally in 2023.

Industry observers have credited the film's impressive launch to Nolan's reputation and the buzz surrounding The Odyssey, which is the first feature film shot entirely with 70mm IMAX cameras.

The film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus and features an ensemble cast including Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong'o, Samantha Morton and Mia Goth.

The Odyssey becomes one of the biggest R-rated openings

The film also secured one of the largest R-rated global openings in box office history.

Only Deadpool & Wolverine, which debuted with $444 million worldwide in 2024, and Deadpool 2, which earned $301 million in 2018, opened bigger globally among R-rated releases.

The adaptation follows Greek hero Odysseus as he embarks on his perilous journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War, encountering mythical creatures, dangerous enemies and divine intervention along the way.

Obsession reaches major box office milestone

Elsewhere at the box office, horror film Obsession crossed $250 million at the domestic box office despite being made on a budget of under $1 million.

Directed by Curry Barker, the horror hit has now earned $442.6 million worldwide, making it one of 2026's biggest global releases.

The Odyssey faces limited competition next weekend

The Odyssey is expected to remain the box office leader next weekend with limited competition from new releases.

Among the upcoming titles are action thriller Motor City starring Alan Ritchson, horror film Pinocchio: Unstrung, and Nicholas Winding Refn's psychological thriller Her Private Hell, led by Sophie Thatcher.