“The Odyssey” continues its successful box office run, grossing $1.1 billion US since its release on July 17, according to The Associated Press. This Greek epic adaptation marks director Christopher Nolan’s highest-grossing film to date and is the first to surpass the billion-dollar milestone since 2012’s “The Dark Knight Rises.” The Batman film earned $1.08 billion US, while the previous superhero flick “The Dark Knight” reached $1 billion US. Nolan’s 2024 biopic “Oppenheimer” fell just short of the mark, garnering around $975 million US.
Another film making waves is Sony-Marvel’s “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” which exceeded expectations following its July 31 premiere, amassing $1.67 billion US globally, with an impressive $360 million US in its opening weekend. This achievement places the film in the league of record-breaking Marvel movies, alongside “Avengers: Endgame,” the only other superhero film to rake in over $300 million US in its debut weekend, collecting $357 million US in 2019. “Brand New Day” is on track to become one of the highest-grossing movies in history and is currently the highest-grossing film of the year, surpassing “The Odyssey” and “Toy Story 5.”
“The Odyssey” is set to expand its reach further as it prepares for its official release in the lucrative Chinese market. The film has only had limited screenings and a premiere in Beijing so far. China is gearing up to dedicate a significant portion of its 800-Imax screen network to the movie, with the CEO of Imax China anticipating massive demand for it.
The appeal of Imax technology has contributed to the global success of films like “The Odyssey.” Despite a decline in theater attendance during the COVID-19 pandemic, Imax has seen a surge in popularity. Originating in Canada in 1967, Imax’s technology gained prominence for its educational format, showcasing spectacular views on giant curved screens. The transition to digital formats in the late 1990s and early 2000s propelled Imax into Hollywood, with notable releases like “Avatar” and Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” solidifying its status as a premium cinematic experience.
Nolan’s close association with Imax led to “The Odyssey” being the first movie entirely filmed in Imax, contributing to its success as IMAX’s highest-grossing domestic release. The combined box office performance of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” and “The Odyssey” has driven Hollywood to its best year at the box office since the pandemic, with ticket sales exceeding last year by 18.5%. 2026 has witnessed five movies crossing the $1 billion US mark, the highest since 2019, including “Michael” and “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.”
Industry analysts forecast that summer theatrical revenue will hit $4 billion US, a significant milestone indicating a strong recovery for Hollywood. The only other summer since the pandemic to surpass this mark was in 2023, driven by the success of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.”