The Odyssey becomes Christopher Nolan’s highest grossing film as it passes $1.1bn at box office

The Odyssey has become the highest grossing film of Christopher Nolan’s career, having made more than US$1bn at the global box office less than a month after its release.

The blockbuster, which was released on 17 July, is an adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic and follows Matt Damon as Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithaca, on his perilous 10-year journey home after the Trojan war.
The film, which has received strong reviews from critics, has grossed $1.104bn (£819m, A$1.56bn) worldwide, making it the most successful of Nolan’s career.

It has beaten his previous record-holder, the 2012 Batman film The Dark Knight Rises, which earned $1.085bn (£805.7m), while its 2008 predecessor The Dark Knight grossed $1.005bn (£745m).

The Oscar-winning film-maker has directed blockbusters such as Tenet, Dunkirk and Interstellar, with his movies having now grossed more than US$7bn (£5.198bn) globally.

The 56-year-old wrote and directed The Odyssey, which he also produced alongside his wife, Emma Thomas.

The film features a star-studded cast including Damon, Anne Hathaway and Robert Pattinson – and has become the highest-grossing of all three actors’ careers.

The three-hour-long epic also stars Zendaya, Tom Holland, Charlize Theron and Lupita Nyong’o.

The Odyssey debuted at number one globally and it remained in the top position for two consecutive weekends.

It was made with production companies Syncopy and Universal Pictures, and is one of three Universal films to have grossed US$1bn globally this year, alongside The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and the Michael Jackson biopic Michael.

Jim Orr, president of domestic theatrical distribution at Universal Pictures, said: “Christopher Nolan has earned audiences’ trust by consistently delivering must-see theatrical events, and The Odyssey is him operating at the peak of his powers.

“Nolan’s epic film has been at the forefront of culture, with audiences seeking out premium formats and repeat viewings for this once-in-a-lifetime cinematic journey.”

Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, president of distribution at Universal Pictures International, hailed the film as “a global epic that has resonated with audiences everywhere with its massive scope and uncompromising vision”.

The Odyssey had a reported production budget of US$250m (£185m, A$353m) excluding marketing costs, making it one of the most expensive films of Nolan’s career.