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‘The Odyssey’ earns $264 million in global opening

LOS ANGELES: Director Christopher Nolan’s latest epic, The Odyssey, has made a powerful debut at the global box office, earning $264.1 million during its opening weekend and becoming one of the biggest film launches of the year.

The historical fantasy collected $124.5 million from the United States and Canada, while international markets contributed the remaining earnings. The film secured the top position at both the domestic and worldwide box office during its first weekend in cinemas.

Based on the ancient Greek epic poem by Homer, The Odyssey stars Matt Damon as the legendary warrior Odysseus, who faces a dangerous journey home after the Trojan War. The story follows his encounters with mythical creatures, powerful gods, deadly storms and personal tragedy.

The film marks Christopher Nolan’s first directorial project since the Oscar-winning success of Oppenheimer. Industry analysts say the strong opening reflects the director’s global popularity and the high expectations surrounding his latest production.

Produced with a reported budget of $250 million, the film has already recovered a significant portion of its production costs in its opening weekend. It also received an A CinemaScore from audiences and a 97 percent audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating an overwhelmingly positive response from moviegoers.

The film has become the third-biggest global opening of Nolan’s career after adjusting for inflation, trailing only The Dark Knight Rises and The Dark Knight.

Large-format screenings played a major role in the film’s success. Nearly half of North American audiences chose premium viewing formats, with a significant number opting for IMAX screenings. Strong demand led several cinemas to add late-night and early-morning shows to accommodate moviegoers.

Advance ticket sales also reached record levels, reflecting months of anticipation ahead of the film’s release. Cinema operators reported exceptional demand from fans eager to experience Nolan’s latest visual spectacle on the biggest screens available.

With its impressive opening performance, The Odyssey has strengthened Christopher Nolan’s reputation as one of Hollywood’s most successful filmmakers and is expected to remain a major attraction at the global box office in the coming weeks.

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