Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey becomes Universal’s highest

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has become the highest-grossing film in Universal Pictures’ history, reaching the milestone in less than two months of theatrical release.

The Matt Damon-led epic is set to finish the weekend with $601.2 million in domestic ticket sales and $1.083 billion internationally, taking its worldwide box office to $1.68 billion. Universal, which marked the achievement on Saturday, said the film had broken several records during its theatrical run.

Donna Langley, chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment, praised Nolan and producer Emma Thomas for the film’s scale and execution, calling it a major moment for cinema and moviegoing.

The achievement also makes The Odyssey Nolan’s biggest film at the global box office. The movie recently returned to the top spot at the box office during its ninth weekend in theatres, following an opening that became the filmmaker’s biggest career debut.

Produced by Nolan and Thomas under their Syncopy banner, with Thomas Hayslip as executive producer, the film has accumulated several other box-office distinctions. It is the highest-grossing R-rated film in history and the biggest earner ever for IMAX.

Based on Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey, the film follows Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithaca, as he attempts to make his way home after the Trojan War. The cast includes Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Charlize Theron and Zendaya alongside Damon.

The film is also the first non-sequel since 2009 to cross $1 billion in overseas ticket sales, despite being based on an ancient story that dates back roughly 3,000 years.