Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' sails to $17.6M in preview screenings
The epic adventure surpassed 'Toy Story 5' to deliver the biggest preview box office of the year
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has made an impressive start at the box office, earning $17.6 million in preview screenings ahead of its official debut.
The epic adventure delivered the biggest preview haul of the year, narrowly surpassing Toy Story 5, which previously held the record with $17.5 million.
Industry projections had estimated The Odyssey would open between $90 million and $100 million domestically over the weekend.
However, its strong preview performance suggests the film could exceed those expectations.
If it reaches the $100 million mark, the film would become the third release this year to debut with a nine-figure opening, following Toy Story 5 and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.
The film also marks Nolan's strongest opening momentum since The Dark Knight Rises, which launched with $160 million in 2012.
The early numbers comfortably outpace those of Nolan's Oscar-winning Oppenheimer, which collected $10.5 million in previews before opening to $82 million domestically and ultimately earning $975 million worldwide.
The Odyssey has generated significant anticipation since its announcement, with audiences flocking to premium-format screenings.
The film is the first feature shot entirely with IMAX cameras, fueling strong demand for IMAX and 70mm presentations.
Directed by Nolan, the adaptation of Homer's classic epic stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the legendary Greek hero battling gods, monsters and mythical creatures on his journey home to Ithaca.
The ensemble cast also includes Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron and Jon Bernthal.
With a reported $250 million production budget and an estimated $125 million spent on marketing, The Odyssey ranks among the most expensive films of the year and is reportedly the costliest R-rated movie ever made.
The film has also received a warm response from critics, currently holding a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, giving the ambitious blockbuster additional momentum as it heads into its opening weekend.
