Theron says The Odyssey’s success proves audiences still value cinema trips
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Charlize Theron used her charity fundraiser to argue that Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has proven that audiences still want to experience cinema in theatres, countering industry concerns about the future of theatrical releases. Speaking at the sixth annual Block Party for her Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP), the actress urged the film industry to take encouragement from the film's extraordinary performance and develop more theatrical events beyond Nolan's work, rather than treating his success as an exception.
The Odyssey has grossed more than $1.6 billion worldwide since its mid-July release, becoming Universal's highest-grossing film, with IMAX 70mm screenings selling out weeks in advance. CTAOP, founded in 2007 and approaching its 20th anniversary, has reached nearly five million people across South Africa through work in education, HIV prevention, youth safety and LGBTQ+ support. The fundraiser raised nearly $1 million for the organisation, though it faces significant challenges following the loss of international funding that has affected charitable work globally. Theron emphasised that sustained community support is essential to the charity's continued ability to serve its partners across South Africa.
- The Odyssey's $1.6bn success signals audiences value theatrical cinema.
- Theron urges Hollywood to build theatrical events beyond Nolan's work.
- Her charity raised $1m but faces reduced international funding challenges.
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Christopher Nolan's latest film, The Odyssey, has become a major commercial success since its release in mid-July, earning over $1.6 billion worldwide and becoming Universal Studios' highest-grossing film. The film's IMAX 70mm screenings have proved particularly popular, with showings selling out weeks ahead.
Over the past decade, Hollywood's film industry has increasingly shifted towards streaming services and home viewing, with many studios reducing their investment in cinema releases. This reflects concerns about declining cinema attendance and changing audience habits, particularly following the pandemic's impact on theatrical viewing.
Charlize Theron, an actress and founder of a humanitarian charity, has publicly commented on The Odyssey's success. She suggested that the film's strong performance demonstrates that audiences still value the cinema experience and urged the industry to develop more theatrical releases beyond Nolan's work.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The Odyssey demonstrates that audiences retain genuine appetite for premium theatrical experiences when offered truly distinctive fare. Its $1.6 billion gross and sold-out IMAX screenings show that cinema offers something streaming cannot—spectacle, immersion, and communal viewing. Strategic investment in films designed specifically for the cinematic format can remain profitable and culturally significant, justifying continued dedication to theatrical exhibition.
The case against
Whilst the film's performance is genuine, it represents a single data point from Hollywood's most proven auteur and may not be replicable across the wider industry. Structural challenges persist: closed venues, sustained audience migration to streaming, and the vast majority of films underperforming *The Odyssey* substantially. Basing long-term industry strategy on one exceptional case risks overcommitting resources to theatrical when broader market trends continue favouring alternative distribution models.
Full account
Charlize Theron has linked the success of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey to renewed confidence in the future of cinema-going, while also using a fundraising event to highlight the work of her South African youth charity. Speaking at the sixth annual Block Party for the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP), she said the film’s reception showed that audiences still wanted the shared experience of watching films in cinemas. Theron appears in the production as Calypso.
The Odyssey has reportedly earned between $1.6 billion and $1.68 billion worldwide, making it Universal Pictures’ most commercially successful release. The reports describe particularly strong demand for IMAX 70mm presentations, including sell-outs well ahead of screenings and activity in the ticket-resale market. Theron said the result had arrived at a time when the film industry was anxious about changing viewing habits. Although Nolan’s reputation is presented as a major factor in turning the film into an event, she expressed hope that other directors and productions would achieve comparable theatrical success.
The Hollywood Reporter’s account places greater emphasis on Theron’s comments about the cinema industry and on the film’s significance as a reminder that audiences remain willing to attend theatres. Variety gives more space to the event itself, its Hollywood guests and Theron’s relationship with Universal, while also mentioning her possible return as Cipher in the next Fast & Furious film. The two reports also use slightly different figures for The Odyssey’s worldwide gross and describe CTAOP’s reach in different ways: one says it has helped nearly five million people, while the other cites more than 4.8 million young people, support for over 80 organisations and $16.5 million in grants.
CTAOP, founded by Theron in 2007, focuses on health, safety and education for young people in South Africa and the wider region. She said the organisation had developed by listening to locally led partners and adapting to changing circumstances, including the pandemic and natural disasters. Its work has expanded across areas such as HIV prevention, education, youth safety and support for LGBTQ+ young people. Theron also identified the loss of international funding as a serious recent challenge and argued that overseas aid remains vital, while praising the supporters who make the charity’s work possible.
Where outlets differ
The Hollywood Reporter concentrates on The Odyssey’s effect on confidence in theatrical filmgoing and gives more detail about IMAX 70mm demand. Variety foregrounds the charity event, its attendees, Universal’s support for Theron and her comments about Fast Forever. The outlets report slightly different box-office totals and describe CTAOP’s beneficiaries using different measurements.
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Originally published by The Hollywood Reporter as “Charlize Theron Says ‘The Odyssey’ Just Gave Hollywood a Much-Needed Reminder”.