Based on Homer's ancient Greek poem, the film stars Matt Damon as the Greek hero Odysseus and follows his perilous journey home after the Trojan War.
It is Nolan's first film since the 2023 blockbuster "Oppenheimer," which won multiple Academy Awards, including best director and best picture.
"There's just palpable excitement across the domestic market this weekend for 'The Odyssey'," said Jim Orr, president of domestic theatrical distribution at Universal.
U.S. actor Matt Damon (L), British-U.S. director Christopher Nolan (C) and U.S. actress Anne Hathaway (R) attend "The Odyssey" premiere at the AMC Lincoln Square in New York on July 14, 2026. Photo by AFP
The film topped both the domestic and global box office over the weekend, according to Rentrak. It drew broad audience appeal, with half of ticket buyers between the ages of 18 and 34, Orr told Reuters.
