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Box Office: ‘The Odyssey’ Kicks Off With an Epic $17.6 Million in Previews
Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" launched with $17.6 million in US preview screenings, the strongest preview haul of the year and the director's first major release since his Oscar-winning "Oppenheimer". The Greek epic, starring Matt Damon as Odysseus, is projected to open to between $90 million and $100 million domestically, though the preview figures suggest it could exceed those estimates and become the third film this year to open above $100 million.
The film's previews beat the $17.5 million set by "Toy Story 5" and dwarf the $10.5 million "Oppenheimer" made before its own $82 million opening weekend. As the first feature shot entirely on Imax cameras, "The Odyssey" has driven intense demand for Imax screenings, with a production budget of $250 million and marketing costs of $125 million making it one of the most expensive films of the year and the costliest R-rated release ever. It has also earned strong reviews, holding a 96% "fresh" score on Rotten Tomatoes, alongside an ensemble cast including Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya and Robert Pattinson.
In short
- "The Odyssey" earns record $17.6m in US preview screenings
- Nolan's follow-up to "Oppenheimer" tipped for $90-100m opening weekend
- Film cost $250m to make, plus $125m in marketing
Explained simply
"The Odyssey" is a new film adaptation of Homer's classical epic poem, directed by Christopher Nolan, the acclaimed filmmaker behind recent Oscar-winning productions including "Oppenheimer". The film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus and features an ensemble cast including Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya and Robert Pattinson.
The film has a production budget of $250 million and a marketing budget of $125 million, making it one of the year's most expensive releases and the costliest R-rated film ever made. It is also the first feature film shot entirely on Imax cameras, which has driven significant interest in Imax screenings.
The film has received strong critical reviews, holding a 96 per cent positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the major review aggregator. It marks Christopher Nolan's first major theatrical release since his Oscar-winning "Oppenheimer".