The film adaptation of "The Odyssey" directed by Christopher Nolan had an epic debut, grossing $264.1 million at the global box office in its opening weekend, including $124.5 million in the US and Canada, Universal Pictures reported on Sunday, writes UNN citing Reuters.
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The film, based on Homer's ancient Greek epic poem, starring Matt Damon as the Greek hero Odysseus, tells the story of his perilous journey home after the Trojan War. This is Nolan's first film since the 2023 blockbuster "Oppenheimer," which won Academy Awards in several categories, including directing and Best Picture.
"There is palpable excitement around 'The Odyssey' in the domestic market this weekend," said Jim Orr, Universal's president of domestic film distribution.
According to Rentrak, the film topped the box office in the US and worldwide for the weekend. It had broad appeal among audiences, with half of ticket buyers aged 18 to 34, Orr told Reuters.
The film's strong opening numbers underscore Nolan's popularity among moviegoers.
"You can't underestimate modern audiences' knowledge of cinema and filmmakers," said Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Rentrak. "And that passion for movies manifests itself in their loyalty to Christopher Nolan. It really does."
The budget for "The Odyssey" was $250 million. The film received an A CinemaScore from audiences who attended opening screenings and a 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The film ranks among Nolan's highest-grossing opening weekends.
Adjusted for inflation, "The Odyssey" ranks third among his films for worldwide opening weekend box office, trailing 2012's "The Dark Knight Rises" and 2008's "The Dark Knight," which grossed $35 million in their opening weekends when adjusted for inflation.
According to Universal, half of audiences in the US and Canada chose to watch "The Odyssey" in premium formats, including 23% in IMAX.
Fans began snapping up tickets for "The Odyssey" a year ago when seats went on sale at some IMAX theaters. IMAX said demand was so high that more than 50 theaters across North America added screenings from midnight to 7 a.m.
IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond said the company generated $50 million in advance ticket sales, the highest in its history. He praised the use of IMAX cameras and 70mm film to create a large-scale narrative, further fueling interest in the film.
"It was just a well-made — almost perfectly made — film in many ways," Gelfond said.
Most scholars believe the epic poem attributed to Homer was written in the 7th or 8th century BC and was passed down orally before being recorded. Nolan's film focuses on the part of Odysseus's return home, where he encounters gods and monsters, faces storms and tragedy.
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