The Odyssey becomes Christopher Nolan’s highest-grossing film

Sir Christopher Nolan’s latest cinematic endeavour, The Odyssey, has sailed past the one billion US dollar mark at the global box office, cementing its place as the highest-grossing film of his illustrious career. This monumental achievement comes less than a month after its highly anticipated release.

The blockbuster, which premiered on 17 July, is a sweeping adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic. It stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the legendary Greek king of Ithaca, chronicling his arduous 10-year journey home following the Trojan War.

Garnering strong critical acclaim, the film has amassed an impressive 1.104 billion dollars (£819 million) worldwide. This figure surpasses Nolan’s previous record-holder, the 2012 Batman instalment The Dark Knight Rises, which earned 1.085 billion dollars (£805.70 million). Its 2008 predecessor, The Dark Knight, had previously grossed 1.005 billion dollars (£745 million).

Oscar-winning filmmaker Sir Christopher has directed blockbusters such as Tenet, Dunkirk and Interstellar, with his movies having now grossed more than seven billion dollars (£5.198 billion) globally.

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

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 both domestically and internationally.

It was made with production companies Syncopy and Universal Pictures, and is one of three Universal films to have grossed one billion dollars globally this year, alongside The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Michael.

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Universal also produced Oppenheimer, the 2023 thriller starring Cillian Murphy and Florence Pugh about the scientists behind the top-secret Manhattan Project.

It is the fourth highest-grossing film of Sir Christopher’s career globally.

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 250 million dollars (£185 million), excluding marketing costs, making it one of the most expensive films of Sir Christopher’s career.