Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' Becomes His Highest-Grossing Film Ever, Smashes Imax Records

Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey has crossed $1.1 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of his career and the biggest release in Imax history. The figure edges past 2012's The Dark Knight Rises, which finished its run at $1.08 billion — neither number adjusted for inflation, according to Variety.

The film, starring Matt Damon as the Greek king Odysseus, is the first feature ever shot entirely with Imax cameras. That distinction has paid off at the till: $289 million of its global gross came from Imax screens alone, overtaking the $271 million Imax total that James Cameron's Avatar held since 2009.

In its fourth weekend of release, The Odyssey collected another $110 million globally — $79 million from international markets and $31.5 million domestically (domestic meaning the United States and Canada). The running total stands at $461 million domestic and $643 million international, combining for just over $1.1 billion.

It is the second-biggest film of 2026, behind only Spider-Man: Brand New Day at $1.67 billion. Among R-rated releases — films restricted in the US to viewers 17 and older unless accompanied by an adult — it ranks second all-time, trailing 2024's Deadpool and Wolverine at $1.3 billion.

And there is still territory left. The Odyssey does not open in China until 14 August. Preview screenings there have already generated $6.3 million.

Nolan's filmography has now grossed a combined $7 billion globally. Three of his films have crossed the billion-dollar mark: The Odyssey, 2008's The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises. His previous film, 2023's Oppenheimer, fell just short at close to $975 million — a tally described as remarkable for a three-hour historical biopic.

Imax 70mm formats — the large-format film projection system that offers the highest-resolution image available in commercial cinemas — contributed $37.5 million from just 41 locations globally, representing 14% of Imax's total grosses for the film. In North America, the film generated $147.3 million on Imax screens, making it the company's biggest domestic release to date; international markets added another $141.8 million.

Imax CEO Richard Gelfond said the company had "the very highest of hopes" for the film from the start, but that it continues to exceed them. The performance is headlining what Imax expects will be its best year ever at the global box office. The company reported $289 million in total debt as of 31 December 2025, per its full-year financial results released in February.

Universal's president of international distribution, Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, said a singular filmmaker with the international following of Christopher Nolan is uniquely fit to adapt Homer's ancient poem. The film is distributed by Universal Pictures.

For Nolan, The Odyssey rewrites his own box-office record book — and with China still five days away, the final number is not in yet.