Acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan has once again proven his unmatched box office pull as his upcoming epic, “The Odyssey,” has sold out IMAX 70mm screenings a full year ahead of its release. The film, slated to hit theaters globally on July 17, 2026, is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated movies of the decade.
Industry insiders report that premium-format tickets, particularly IMAX 70mm screenings, were the first to sell out within hours of pre-sale openings. This mirrors the demand seen for Nolan’s 2023 blockbuster “Oppenheimer,” which also drove huge IMAX ticket sales and grossed over $950 million worldwide.
The extraordinary demand for The Odyssey underlines Nolan’s reputation as a master of immersive, large-format filmmaking. Analysts predict that the film could surpass $1 billion in global earnings, considering its early fan response.
The Odyssey is Nolan’s ambitious adaptation of Homer’s classic Greek epic, following the perilous journey of Odysseus after the Trojan War. The film boasts a powerhouse ensemble, including:
Matt Damon as Odysseus
Charlize Theron as Penelope
Tom Holland in a supporting warrior role
Zendaya rumored to play a mystical goddess character
Cinematography will be handled by Hoyte van Hoytema, Nolan’s longtime collaborator, ensuring breathtaking visuals that are expected to set a new standard for historical epics.
Nolan’s trademark use of practical effects, coupled with his commitment to shooting in IMAX 70mm, has raised expectations for a visually spectacular and authentic cinematic experience. The director has teased that The Odyssey will blend mythological grandeur with human emotion, making it as much a character-driven story as it is a visual spectacle.
Film critic Peter Travers commented, “Nolan is the only modern director who can turn a 3,000-year-old poem into a billion-dollar blockbuster. Fans are right to be excited.”
If pre-sales are any indication, The Odyssey could become Nolan’s highest-grossing film to date, potentially outpacing Oppenheimer and The Dark Knight Rises. Its success may also spark renewed interest in mythology-based big-budget films, a genre Hollywood has largely neglected in recent years.