The U.K. and Ireland box office experienced a massive tentpole shift as Universal’s “The Odyssey” captured the top spot, storming the market with a spectacular debut weekend of £12.5 million ($16.8 million).
The performance registered as Nolan’s second-biggest opening frame in the market, landing well ahead of “Oppenheimer.” Driven by an unprecedented showing on premium large formats, “The Odyssey” achieved the biggest opening Friday of the year and recorded Universal’s fifth-biggest opening Friday ever. The BFI Imax – the U.K.’s largest screen – reported its highest three-day opening weekend in history, bringing in a $294,249 from the single venue. This historic frame broke the previous all-time BFI Imax weekend record held by “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” ($289,682) in 2017, with “Oppenheimer” now sitting in third place with $277,936. To date, the London site alone has logged over 82,000 admissions, generating $2.9 million in ticket sales and maintaining a 94% occupancy rate, making it the venue’s third highest-grossing title of all time with 173 consecutive sold-out showtimes.
Disney claimed second place as “Toy Story 5” brought in $2.2 million in its fifth weekend. The film’s five-week running cume is now $60.6 million. Disney also took the No. 3 spot with its live-action “Moana.” In its sophomore session, the film added $2 million, taking its running total to $7.4 million.
