Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Sails to Record-Breaking Thursday Previews
Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated epic, ‘The Odyssey,’ has set sail on its cinematic journey, leaving a trail of box office records in its wake. According to exclusive sources, the film’s Thursday night previews have raked in an impressive $17.6 million, making it the best preview number of 2026 so far.
This milestone achievement surpasses the previous record held by ‘Toy Story 5,’ which had garnered $17.5 million in its Thursday previews. The ‘Odyssey’ preview numbers have also left behind the likes of ‘Guardian of the Galaxy: Vol. 3,’ which had a first Friday/previews figure of $48.1 million and a 3-day opening of $118.4 million.
Breaking down the preview numbers, 25% came from Imax digital screens, 25% from exhibitor-owned PLF screens (including Dolby, Screen-X), 5% from Imax 70MM screens, and 3% from regular 70MM prints. When added up, this amounts to 58% of the total preview earnings coming from Imax, PLFs, and 70MM prints.
The film’s strong advance ticket sales, which were reportedly around $40 million, further underscore its box office potential. Fandango has also announced that ‘The Odyssey’ is their top pre-seller of 2026, indicating a high level of enthusiasm among moviegoers.
With its wide release across the country, including markets like Houston, Denver, Vancouver, and Toronto, ‘The Odyssey’ is poised to make a significant impact at the box office. The film’s epic scope, coupled with its all-star cast, including Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Zedaya, Charlize Theron, Tom Holland, and Jon Bernthal, has created a perfect storm of excitement among audiences.
As we look ahead to the weekend, it’s clear that ‘The Odyssey’ is set to make a splash at the box office. With its record-breaking preview numbers and strong advance ticket sales, this film is shaping up to be a major player in the 2026 box office landscape.
The film’s success has also been reflected in its Rotten Tomatoes audience score, which stands at an impressive 96%. This marks the highest audience score for a Nolan film, surpassing the likes of ‘Batman Begins,’ ‘Dark Knight,’ and ‘Memento,’ which all had audience scores of 94%.
When compared to other appointment-viewing movies, such as ‘James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water’ and ‘Legendary/Warner Bros’ Dune: Part II,’ ‘The Odyssey’ preview numbers are not far off. This suggests that the film is well on its way to becoming a major box office hit.
With its record-breaking preview numbers and strong advance ticket sales, ‘The Odyssey’ is set to make a significant impact at the box office. As we eagerly await the film’s weekend release, one thing is clear: this epic is going to be a wild ride.
The Odyssey’s Box Office Projections
Based on its record-breaking preview numbers and strong advance ticket sales, ‘The Odyssey’ is projected to have a $100 million+ opening weekend at the box office. This would make it one of the biggest openings of 2026, cementing its place as a major player in the box office landscape.
The film’s success is also a testament to the enduring appeal of Christopher Nolan’s filmmaking style. With his unique blend of action, drama, and spectacle, Nolan has once again delivered a film that is sure to captivate audiences worldwide.
As we look ahead to the weekend, one thing is clear: ‘The Odyssey’ is going to be a box office phenomenon. With its record-breaking preview numbers and strong advance ticket sales, this film is shaping up to be one of the biggest hits of 2026.
