Universal’s Christopher Nolan epic, ‘The Odyssey’, has made a substantial impact with its Thursday preview showings, generating estimated figures around $15 million in the U.S. This initial box office performance marks a significant moment for the film, with its highly anticipated release drawing considerable attention.
The strong preview numbers are particularly notable given the widespread demand for premium viewing formats. Reports indicate that IMAX 70MM showtimes for ‘The Odyssey’ were completely sold out a year in advance, illustrating the fervent anticipation among film enthusiasts to experience Nolan’s latest work in its intended format. For those currently seeking IMAX or large-format seats within the next three days, it is likely they will find themselves in the front row, requiring them to crane their necks upwards at the screen.
‘The Odyssey’ Sets New Benchmark in Previews
The estimated $15 million U.S. haul from Thursday previews for ‘The Odyssey’ positions the film strongly within the current year’s cinematic landscape. This figure, though subject to minor adjustment, stands as the best preview performance seen so far this year for a live-action title.
In comparison, Lionsgate’s ‘Michael’ recorded $12.6 million in previews before achieving a $97.2 million U.S. opening. ‘The Odyssey’ has surpassed this benchmark with its preview figures alone. The film’s performance also outstrips the $10.5 million generated by previews for Nolan’s multi-Oscar winner ‘Oppenheimer’.
While ‘Oppenheimer’ went on to record a $33 million Friday/previews total and an $82.4 million three-day opening, with ‘Barbie’ leading that particular weekend, ‘The Odyssey’ is already demonstrating considerable box office power. The British filmmaker’s latest ranks as his third best preview night stateside, behind ‘Dark Knight Rises’ which brought in $30.6 million, and ‘Dark Knight’ with $18.5 million.
Furthermore, ‘The Odyssey”s preview figures are not far off from James Cameron’s 2022 release, ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’, which garnered $17 million in previews and an eventual three-day total of $134 million. ‘The Odyssey’ also significantly outperforms Legendary/Warner Bros’ 2024 film ‘Dune: Part II’, which registered $12 million in previews before opening to $82.5 million in North America.
The Premium Format Phenomenon Driving Demand
The remarkable preview success of ‘The Odyssey’ highlights a growing trend for audiences to seek out premium viewing experiences. Much like ‘Oppenheimer’, which saw its previews bolstered by large-format premium screen ticket sales, ‘The Odyssey’ benefits from a similar audience inclination. Many filmgoers are expressing a willingness to wait in order to secure the best seats and optimal showtimes for ‘The Odyssey’.
This preference for high-quality formats, particularly IMAX, plays a crucial role in the film’s early box office performance. ‘The Odyssey”s previews stack up favourably against other ‘appointment-viewing movies’—films that are heavily promoted and whose early sales are largely driven by IMAX tickets.
The current challenge for those hoping to secure a prime viewing spot for ‘The Odyssey’ underscores the film’s allure. With IMAX 70MM showtimes having sold out a year in advance, the availability of these sought-after seats remains extremely limited for immediate viewing.
Audience Acclaim and Robust Advance Sales
Beyond the impressive box office figures, ‘The Odyssey’ has also resonated strongly with viewers. The film currently holds a 96% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, marking it as the best ever for a Christopher Nolan film. This rating surpasses the 94% audience grades achieved by ‘Batman Begins’, ‘Dark Knight’, and ‘Memento’, and also exceeds the 91% rating for Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’.
Sources have indicated that advance ticket sales for ‘The Odyssey’ leading into the weekend were estimated to be around $30 million to $40 million. This figure provides further insight into the anticipation surrounding the film’s release. For context, ‘Wicked: For Good’ clocked $60 million in advance tickets before its $147 million U.S./Canada opening. Similarly, ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ counted $50 million in presale, a film that went on to achieve an R-rated domestic record with a $211.4 million opening.
The question remains this weekend whether ‘The Odyssey’ will successfully cross over into non-premium format auditoriums, extending its reach beyond the dedicated premium screen audience. With a running time of 2 hours and 52 minutes, the film’s initial performance and audience reception signal a strong start, with further updates expected. Universal did not return requests for comment regarding the estimates.