Christopher Nolan’s ‘Odyssey’ has opened to a worldwide box office of $264.1 million, setting a new record for a director. Nolan’s previous biggest debut was ‘The Dark Knight Returns’, which grossed $249 million.
Outside North America, the film earned $139.6 million. It is also the director’s best international opening, surpassing both ‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘The Dark Knight.’
‘Odyssey’ was released in 73 countries, making it the second-highest international opening for an R-rated film, behind ‘Deadpool’ and ‘The Wolverine.’ In addition, this is the biggest opening in Universal’s history in 11 countries and Nolan’s best result in 48 countries, including France, Italy, India, Spain, Brazil, the Netherlands and Poland.
Despite the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, the film showed a record start in Spain – 5.2 million dollars, ahead of “Oppenheimer”. In Argentina, the film started only in second place, which Universal explained by the holding of the final match.
“Odyssey” set a separate record in IMAX. The film, shot entirely for this format, earned $ 51.8 million and, in 26 countries, had the best IMAX opening in history.
The film showed the highest collections in the UK ($17.4 million), France ($13.7 million), Italy ($11.5 million), Australia ($9.3 million), Germany ($8.1 million), India ($7.2 million), and Mexico ($7 million).
The film “The Odyssey” is an adaptation of the ancient Greek poem of the same name. The film tells the story of Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. Along the way, the hero undergoes numerous trials. He encounters mythical creatures, trying to return to his wife Penelope, played by Anne Hathaway, and his son Telemachus, played by Tom Holland.
The cast includes Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, Elliot Page, Bill Irwin, and others.