‘The Odyssey’ Box Office Journey Begins With $17.6M in Previews, Targeting $117M Opening

The Hollywood Reporter ^ | July 17, 2026 | Ryan Gajewski

[MinorityRepublican]

Christopher Nolan‘s The Odyssey sets sail on its box office voyage as the star-studded retelling of the classical mythological tale aims to get moviegoers back in the saddle after a recent stretch of underperforming debuts.

Universal Pictures‘ feature collected $17.6 million from Thursday previews on 3,900 North American screens as it targets a $50 million Friday and a better-than-expected $117 million opening weekend. (It was projected to bow to between the mid-$80 million range to upwards of $100 million). That would give it both the top live-action opening of the year, and the top R-rated opening of the year, as well as Universal’s opening weekend for an R-rated film ever.

The film eyes a global start around $200 million and carries a hefty $250 million production budget.

Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson and Lupita Nyong’o star in the story of Odysseus (Damon) aiming to return home after the Trojan War to reclaim his throne as the king of Ithaca and reunite with wife Penelope (Hathaway).

Nolan’s biggest domestic opening of his career was The Dark Knight Rises in July 2012, as the Batman sequel soared with $160 million domestically before surpassing $1 billion in its global run. The filmmaker’s most recent release was 2023’s Oppenheimer, which opened to $82.4 million domestically and ultimately picked up $975 million worldwide, along with winning seven Academy Awards, including best picture and Nolan’s first best director Oscar. While The Odyssey is the lone wide release opening this weekend, Oppenheimer famously was part of the cultural sensation known as Barbenheimer, with Greta Gerwig’s Barbie sharing its July 21 release date as social media users boasted about catching the unlikely double feature.

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TOPICS: TV/Movies
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[ComputerGuy]

The most-used button on my DVD remote has to be the Pause button. I don't have the attention span to watch anything for more than a few minutes.

[Frank Drebin]

"I consider it completely unimportant who actually went to see the film, or how; but what is extraordinarily important is this—who will tabulate the sales, and how."

— Joe Stalin, Film Producer...maybe

[Leaning Right]

I will not be going to see this movie. It’s just not woke enough for me. For example, there are no little people in the cast. Plus, no character gives a lengthy monologue on the ancient dangers of Climate Change.

And they take the subject matter way too seriously. There’s not even one silly walk in the entire film.

[Red6]

LOL

[ProtectOurFreedom]

LOL. “I don’t have the attention span to watch anything for more than a few minutes.”

I know what you mean. Most movies bore me to death in the first 30-45 minutes. I usually watch then in chunks for 2, 3 or even 4 nights.

[Leaning Right]

> Joe Stalin, Film Producer...maybe <

Ha! That’s pretty good.

If you don’t mind, I’m going to steal the idea and use it in my own life.

My friend, teasing me:
“I see your favorite baseball team lost again.”

Me:
“It doesn’t matter how many runs there were. What matters is who counts the runs.”
- Joe Stalin, Baseball Manager

[rlmorel]

My issue is not that this movie is going to be good or bad, entertaining or execrable, popular or unpopular, or money-making vs money losing. It may be a popular money-maker and entertaining for many.

My issue is the wokeness inherent in the deliberate and apparently careful casting, and the statements or interviews of those people in the film who indicate woke points of view they see remedied in the deliberate casting intended to either make political statements, enhance the likelihood of an Oscar nomination, or both.

That is my objection. Some people simply cannot comprehend why someone in this nation today might take issue with those kinds of things.

Victor Davis Hanson outlines well my view, but he is more gentlemanly in his criticism of these aspect than I am:

LINK: Victor Davis Hanson: Everything Wrong with the Rewrite of Homer’s ‘The Odyssey’

[whitney69]

People continue to wonder why the theater movie industry is failing. But besides their inability to come up with entertaining flicks, they are their own worst enemy and the Odyssey is another example.

Why would people get dressed up, drive to the theater, get a seat that may or may not be comfortable, and spend a fortune on popcorn, when the movies are coming into the streaming market almost immediately. “The Odyssey” is expected to debut on premium video on demand (PVOD) around November 17, approximately 123 days after its theatrical release.

When you compare that to movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark that was in theaters for over 40 weeks, you can see where the disconnect lies. Reasons for the early streaming are:

Marketing Efficiency: Studios can capitalize on the expensive promotional campaigns required for a theatrical release by quickly transitioning the film to home viewing while public interest is still high.

Streaming Retention: Media companies own their own streaming platforms (e.g., Disney+, Max, Peacock) and prioritize fresh, high-profile content to attract and retain subscribers.

Changing Consumer Habits: The rising costs of traditional theater outings, coupled with evolving post-pandemic habits, have led many viewers to prefer the convenience and affordability of watching movies at home.

Quick Cost Recovery: For films that do not perform exceptionally well at the box office, studios can recoup their marketing and production budgets much faster through digital rental fees. It’s all about the bucks. And if they think they have a bomb, they throw it to streaming.

wy69

[ClearCase_guy]

It will probably make money.

But it sure seems obvious to me that the movie could have made MORE money if they hadn’t been political about casting, and if they had made a more accurate and dignified movie.

[Flaming Conservative]

Yeah, good luck with that. James Cameron has made some awesome movies, but I’m guessing this is not one of them. On a more personal note, he needs to come to Jesus; he has a terrible reputation with women.

[MinorityRepublican]

It will probably make money.

You can make money even if you appeal to only 50% of Americans.

My guess is that they'll make one billion dollars.

But if it wasn't woke, 3x that probably.

[proust]

$117 opening is good but soft considering how high the break even is. But to quote another Nolan movie, it’s not about the money it’s about sending a message. The tranny will win best actor award and be shoved in our face 24/7.

[PROCON]

Haven’t been inside a movie theater since 2004 seeing the ‘Passion of the Christ’, don’t intend to ever go again; any movie I want to see I can eventually watch from the comfort of my own home.

[Frank Drebin]

As the thief “borrowing” the original you have my blessing...for what it’s worth ;-)

[SoCal Pubbie]

James Cameron?

[voicereason]

There’s not even one silly walk in the entire film.

I'll second the silly walk comment. It's preposterous to think that not including at least one, couldn't have elevated the story telling. although a whole marching army using a silly walk to confuse and confound the enemy would have been truly epic, and possibly elevated this film to the status of Ben-Hur.

[9422WMR]

Someone post the photo of the cast. The smallest one in the photo is that 90 lb girl playing the alpha male Achilles. What a runt!!

[Flaming Conservative]

My bad. Christopher Nolan.

[Flaming Conservative]

Oops. Christopher Nolan is squeaky clean. James Cameron is not.