Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” has received highly enthusiastic early reactions from Academy members at its first official awards-season screenings, positioning it as a potential leading contender for the 2027 Oscars. The response matters because Nolan’s previous film, “Oppenheimer”, already won best picture and earned him his first directing Oscar, making another major awards success unusually significant.

Universal has begun campaigning for the Homer adaptation after it opened to $264 million worldwide, a record global opening for Nolan. Screenings took place in Los Angeles, London and New York in 70mm and 35mm formats; voters praised its scale and filmmaking, although one described it as slightly long, while attention will now turn to its large acting ensemble led by Matt Damon.