Story perspectives

Nolan's “The Odyssey” Smashes Box Office, Beats Oppenheimer

7/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

Christopher Nolan released his film adaptation of Homer’s epic The Odyssey on July 17, 2026.
The Odyssey earned $263.8 million worldwide and set a 2026 Australian opening-weekend record of $13.4 million.
IMAX Melbourne reported the film overtook Oppenheimer as the cinema’s highest-grossing title ever.
The film is the first feature shot entirely with IMAX cameras and shown in 70 mm.
Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 95 % critic score while PopcornMeter recorded a 97 % audience rating.

History

Historical Context

In December 2009 James Cameron’s Avatar debuted with 3-D rigs, shattering IMAX box-office records and becoming the first film to gross over $2 billion worldwide ($2.9 billion total). Its success sparked a surge in high-resolution formats and theater upgrades. Building on that legacy, Christopher Nolan’s 2026 Odyssey is billed as the first feature filmed entirely with IMAX cameras and shown in 70 mm, echoing Avatar’s leap.

1 of 2

Story summary

Christopher Nolan released his film adaptation of Homer’s epic The Odyssey on July 17, 2026.
The Odyssey earned $263.8 million worldwide and set a 2026 Australian opening-weekend record of $13.4 million.
IMAX Melbourne reported the film overtook Oppenheimer as the cinema’s highest-grossing title ever.
The film is the first feature shot entirely with IMAX cameras and shown in 70 mm.
Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 95 % critic score while PopcornMeter recorded a 97 % audience rating.

1 / 2