Christopher Nolan’s latest film, The Odyssey, has set a remarkable record in Ireland, achieving the highest opening weekend box-office revenue per capita worldwide. The epic adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek poem garnered €954,000 in the Republic of Ireland and an additional €69,000 in Northern Ireland upon its release last Friday. Globally, the film amassed an impressive $264 million during its opening weekend, marking the most successful debut of Nolan’s career to date.
Featuring an ensemble cast including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, and Zendaya, The Odyssey follows the adventures of Odysseus, the legendary king of Ithaca, as he embarks on a ten-year journey home following the Trojan War. The film’s debut performance has surpassed that of Nolan’s previous 2023 hit, Oppenheimer, and stands as his best since The Dark Knight Rises in 2012.
Released across 73 international markets, The Odyssey was shown in over 12,800 locations and on 26,000 screens worldwide, including 440 IMAX screens. Notably, it is the first feature film to be shot entirely using IMAX cameras, a testament to Nolan’s innovative approach to filmmaking.
The film has received widespread acclaim from critics, further bolstered by a star-studded cast that includes Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Samantha Morton, and Charlize Theron. This success adds to Nolan’s illustrious career, which includes critically acclaimed films such as The Dark Knight trilogy, Interstellar, Dunkirk, Inception, and Memento.