Los Angeles, en.SERU.co.id — Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated epic The Odyssey has launched with explosive box office momentum. On Thursday, July 16, 2026, the film collected $17.6 million in North American Thursday night previews, setting a new record for the highest preview gross of any live-action movie in 2026.
The figure surpasses Toy Story 5 ($17.5M) and significantly outpaces Nolan’s own Oppenheimer ($10.5M previews).
“Universal is calling the Thursday night previews for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey at $17.6 million. That’s the best preview number of 2026 year to date,” reported Anthony D’Alessandro for Deadline.
Early industry projections estimate a domestic opening weekend of around $117 million, with some forecasts suggesting it could exceed $120 million. If achieved, this would mark the biggest live-action opening of 2026, the top R-rated debut of the year, and Universal’s highest-grossing R-rated opening ever. Globally, the film is eyeing a $200 million+ launch.
The Hollywood Reporter noted that the strong previews point to a better-than-expected performance, driven heavily by premium large-format screenings.
“That would give it both the top live-action opening of the year, and the top R-rated opening of the year,” the outlet reported.
Critical Acclaim Boosts Momentum
Beyond ticket sales, The Odyssey is earning rave reviews. The star-studded adaptation of Homer’s classic — featuring Matt Damon as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, alongside Tom Holland, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, and Lupita Nyong’o — holds 96% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, one of the highest of Nolan’s career.
Critics have praised its breathtaking IMAX 70mm visuals, immersive sound design, and Nolan’s signature blend of grand spectacle with intimate human drama. The Hollywood Reporter’s chief film critic David Rooney described it as “a meditative action movie both immense and intimate.”
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Ambitious Production Behind the Success
With a reported production budget of around $250 million, The Odyssey is one of Nolan’s most expensive films. Shot entirely on IMAX cameras, it has become a major draw for cinephiles seeking the ultimate big-screen experience. The film arrives as Nolan’s follow-up to the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer, which grossed nearly $1 billion worldwide.
If current projections hold, The Odyssey is on track to become Christopher Nolan’s third-biggest domestic opening, behind only The Dark Knight Rises and The Dark Knight.
