Nolan's 'The Odyssey' Shatters Records, Becomes Director's Biggest Film Ever!
Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" has rapidly surpassed $1.1 billion globally, becoming his highest-grossing film and earning widespread critical acclaim for its majestic take on ancient myth. Meanwhile, Collider offers an engaging action hero quiz, inviting readers to find their ideal partner among legends like James Bond and Rambo.
Christopher Nolan's latest epic, "The Odyssey," has achieved a monumental milestone, passing the $1 billion mark worldwide within three weeks of its global box-office run. This success comes despite losing IMAX screens to "Spider-Man: Brand New Day." The film has now become the highest-grossing movie of Nolan's illustrious career, surpassing his previous release, the acclaimed biographical thriller "Oppenheimer," which grossed $975 million globally in 2023.
Released worldwide on July 17, "The Odyssey" has garnered widespread critical acclaim, boasting a "Certified Fresh" 94% critics' score and a "Verified Hot" 97% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. The aggregator's consensus praised the film for "Reinvigorating an ancient adventure with majestic sweep and sterling work by its colossal ensemble, Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey imbues myth with primal human feeling." The film is anticipated to be a strong contender for awards success.
Produced on a reported budget of $250 million, "The Odyssey" was touted as Nolan's most ambitious project to date, notably having been shot entirely on IMAX film. The stellar cast includes Matt Damon as the headliner Odysseus, with Tom Holland as Telemachus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, and Robert Pattinson as Antinous in prominent supporting roles. Jon Bernthal and Charlize Theron also appear in standout smaller parts, and Zendaya is noted as Athena in promotional images.
The film's worldwide haul currently stands at over $1.1 billion, with $460 million domestically and $643 million from international markets. This places "The Odyssey" ahead of Nolan's other billion-dollar hits, "The Dark Knight" and "The Dark Knight Rises." It has also outgrossed major blockbusters like "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," and "Finding Dory." On the all-time global rankings, "The Odyssey" is now among the 50 highest-grossing movies ever made and is the second-biggest R-rated hit in history, behind only "Deadpool & Wolverine." Domestically, it has secured a spot among the 30 highest-grossing films of all time and is expected to climb further, having only been in theaters for 24 days compared to "Oppenheimer's" run of over 500 days. The film's official release date is listed as July 15, 2026, with a runtime of 173 minutes.
In a related piece exploring themes of action and partnership, Collider presented an "Action Hero Quiz" designed to help readers discover their ideal partner from a lineup of five iconic legends: Rambo, James Bond, Indiana Jones, John McClane, and Ethan Hunt. The quiz explores various scenarios, from how a partner handles dangerous situations and travel, to their behavior under fire, communication style, approach to villains, and loyalty during capture.
Based on the quiz's outcomes, each hero embodies a distinct partnership style:
Rambo: A quietly ferocious and highly capable partner, Rambo is defined by survival instinct, unwavering loyalty, and endurance. He operates with minimal words, assessing threats silently, and is guaranteed never to leave a partner behind.
James Bond: Professionally dangerous, charming, and impeccably prepared, Bond operates with layers of strategy and uses every advantage. While occasionally frustrating, his resilience and stylish approach to seemingly insurmountable challenges make him an invaluable partner when the stakes are highest.
Indiana Jones: A brilliant yet reckless scholar with a brawler's instinct, Indiana Jones brings irreplaceable knowledge of history, language, and culture to any mission. Despite his personal attachments to artifacts and aversion to snakes, his resourcefulness and unique combination of intellect and action lead to legendary adventures.
John McClane: The quintessential accidental hero, McClane's superpowers are stubbornness and improvisation. He is known for his sarcastic remarks, chaotic methods, and remarkable ability to absorb punishment while continuing to fight. Though he may complain, he is unconditionally reliable when it counts.
Ethan Hunt: Operating at the absolute edge of human capability, Ethan Hunt is a precise, relentless planner who runs countless scenarios. He brings meticulous precision to protecting his partners and dismantling threats, carrying the mission's weight so completely that trust in his impossible plans always proves to be the right call.