‘The Odyssey’ opens with year’s best $17.6 million in Thursday previews
by The Washington Times AI News Desk · The Washington TimesDirector Christopher Nolan’s long-awaited Greek epic “The Odyssey” collected $17.6 million in Thursday preview screenings, the best preview total of any film in 2026 and a strong signal for an opening weekend that could reach or exceed $100 million.
The Universal Pictures release, which stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, played on roughly 3,900 North American screens Thursday night, edging out the $17.5 million previews notched by “Toy Story 5” for the year’s top mark. Box office trackers project a domestic opening between $90 million and $100 million, which would mark Mr. Nolan’s biggest launch since “The Dark Knight Rises” opened to $160 million in 2012.
The film’s Thursday result also outpaced the $10.5 million in previews posted by Mr. Nolan’s last film, “Oppenheimer,” which went on to earn $82.4 million in its opening weekend and $975 million worldwide en route to winning the Academy Award for best picture.
“The Odyssey” is the first major studio release shot entirely on IMAX cameras, a distinction that has driven heavy demand for premium-format screenings. According to TheWrap, nearly 60% of Thursday’s gross came from IMAX and other premium large-format screens, with some showtimes scheduled as early as 3 a.m. to accommodate demand.
Critics have embraced the film. It holds a 96% “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes, according to Forbes, which noted the mark surpasses the 93% score “Oppenheimer” received. The film carries a $250 million production budget plus an estimated $125 million in marketing costs, making it one of the most expensive R-rated films ever produced.
The ensemble cast includes Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron and Jon Bernthal. Ms. Hathaway plays Penelope, wife of Mr. Damon’s Odysseus, in the retelling of Homer’s account of the Greek king’s journey home after the Trojan War.
“The Odyssey” is the only wide release in theaters this weekend, giving it sole command of the domestic box office ahead of Sony’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” which opens July 31.
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