Nolan's 'The Odyssey' smashes $1B barrier—becomes his highest-grossing film ever

Christopher Nolan’s mythological epic The Odyssey has crossed $1 billion at the global box office, becoming his highest-grossing film to date and one of the top five movies of 2026 worldwide.

The Universal Pictures release has earned $461.1 million domestically in North America and $643.6 million overseas, surpassing Nolan’s previous record holder, The Dark Knight Rises ($1.085 billion). It is now the highest-grossing R-rated movie of the year in both North America and globally.

In India, the film has collected ₹161.41 crore net (approximately $193 million), with gross earnings reaching ₹190.47 crore. On its 23rd day in Indian theaters, The Odyssey added ₹4 crore to its total, marking a 67% jump in earnings on its fourth Saturday compared to the previous Friday. Over two-thirds of its Indian collections came from IMAX cinemas, underscoring the film’s strong performance in premium formats.

The Odyssey stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, alongside Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, and Robert Pattinson. The film’s success has also set new career box office records for Damon, Hathaway, and Pattinson, making it their highest-grossing movie to date.

Nolan’s previous blockbuster, Oppenheimer (2023), remains his fourth-highest-grossing film with $975.8 million worldwide. The Odyssey now joins The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Michael, Toy Story 5, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day as one of the year’s top-grossing films globally.

A star-studded spectacle The film’s ensemble cast has been a major draw, with Damon leading as the legendary Greek hero Odysseus on his perilous journey home after the Trojan War. Holland, Hathaway, and Pattinson play pivotal roles, while Nolan and his longtime collaborator Emma Thomas produce under their Syncopy banner.

IMAX dominance in India India has emerged as a key market for The Odyssey, with IMAX cinemas contributing significantly to its box office haul. The film’s sustained performance in India, despite competition from Spider-Man: Brand New Day, highlights its broad appeal across formats and regions.

Nolan’s billion-dollar club With The Odyssey, Nolan joins an elite group of filmmakers whose movies have crossed the $1 billion mark. The film’s success reaffirms his reputation for delivering must-see theatrical experiences, as noted by Universal Pictures’ president of domestic theatrical distribution.

The film continues to play in theaters worldwide, with no official end date announced for its theatrical run.