Christopher Nolan has done it again. Following the Oscar-winning success of Oppenheimer, the acclaimed filmmaker has returned with The Odyssey, an epic adaptation of Homer’s legendary Greek poem that has become one of the year’s biggest box-office successes. The film has also reignited cinema attendance in South Africa, with Ster-Kinekor reporting its strongest IMAX opening weekend since 2019.
The film has quickly become one of 2026’s biggest releases, earning $263.5 million worldwide during its opening weekend, including an impressive $52 million from IMAX screenings alone. South African audiences have also embraced the film in a major way. Ster-Kinekor confirmed that The Odyssey delivered its biggest IMAX opening weekend since 2019, with packed theatres across all nine of its IMAX locations nationwide. Several screenings sold out as audiences flocked to experience Nolan’s latest epic on the biggest screens possible. The strong turnout is another reminder that blockbuster cinema still has the power to bring audiences back to theatres despite the continued growth of streaming platforms, a sentiment Christopher Nolan himself has championed for years.
What is The Odyssey about?
Based on Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem, The Odyssey follows Odysseus (played by Matt Damon), the legendary King of Ithaca, as he embarks on an extraordinary ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. Although celebrated as the mastermind behind the famous Trojan Horse strategy that ended the war, Odysseus faces his greatest battle after victory. His voyage home becomes a perilous adventure filled with shipwrecks, mythical creatures, powerful gods, sorceresses, monsters and impossible choices.
Back in Ithaca, his wife Penelope (played by Anne Hathaway) struggles to hold the kingdom together while fending off ambitious suitors convinced that her husband will never return. Meanwhile, their son Telemachus (played by Tom Holland) begins his own journey to uncover the truth about his father’s fate.
Who directed The Odyssey?
Academy Award-winning filmmaker Christopher Nolan directs the adaptation. Nolan is regarded as one of Hollywood’s most influential directors, with acclaimed films including The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception, Interstellar, Dunkirk, Tenet and Oppenheimer, the latter earning him his first Oscars for Best Director and Best Picture. Known for combining practical filmmaking with large-format IMAX photography, Nolan once again designed The Odyssey to be experienced on cinema screens rather than at home.
The Odyssey cast and characters explained
One of the film’s biggest attractions is its ensemble cast, featuring Oscar winners, Emmy winners, longtime Nolan collaborators and several actors making their first appearance in one of the director’s films.
Matt Damon as Odysseus
Matt Damon leads the film as Odysseus, the King of Ithaca whose decade-long journey home forms the heart of the story. The actor described the role as “the role of a lifetime”, revealing that he spent six months preparing physically and mentally for the demanding production. Damon previously worked with Nolan on Interstellar and Oppenheimer. His other acclaimed performances include The Martian, The Departed, the Bourne franchise and Saving Private Ryan.
Anne Hathaway as Queen Penelope
Oscar winner Anne Hathaway portrays Penelope, Odysseus’ devoted wife who refuses to remarry despite relentless pressure from dozens of suitors who believe her husband is dead. The film reunites Hathaway with Nolan following The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar. The Oscar winner, who earned the Academy Award for best supporting actress for Les Misérables, is also known for The Devil Wears Prada 2,The Intern, Ocean’s Eight, and Mother Mary.
Tom Holland as Telemachus
Tom Holland stars as Telemachus, the son of Odysseus and Penelope, whose coming-of-age journey runs parallel to his father’s dangerous voyage home. The role marks Holland’s first collaboration with Nolan. The Spider-Man star recently described the role as “the last chance in my career to sort of play a boy.” Outside of the superhero franchise, he’s starred in The Impossible, Uncharted and The Devil All the Time alongside The Odyssey co-star Robert Pattinson, as well as the Apple TV+ series The Crowded Room.
Zendaya as Athena
Zendaya portrays Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and warfare, who becomes Odysseus’ greatest divine protector throughout his perilous journey. The role marks the Emmy-winning actress’ first collaboration with Nolan after her acclaimed performances in three seasons of Euphoria, the Dune films, Challengers and The Drama alongside Odyssey co-star Robert Pattinson.
Robert Pattinson as Antinous
Robert Pattinson plays Antinous, the most dangerous of Penelope’s suitors and the principal human antagonist of the story. Determined to seize the throne of Ithaca, Antinous not only pressures Penelope into marriage but also plots to murder Telemachus. Pattinson previously collaborated with Nolan in Tenet. Other acclaimed performances include Twilight, The Devil All The Time, and The Drama.
Charlize Theron as Calypso
South African-born Oscar winner Charlize Theron portrays Calypso, the immortal sea nymph who traps Odysseus on the mythical island of Ogygia for seven years, delaying his return home. While The Odyssey marks Theron’s first collaboration with Nolan, it reunites Theron with Matt Damon 26 years after they starred together in The Legend of Bagger Vance. Theron won the Academy Award for best actress for her transformative performance in Monster, which also earned her Golden Globe and SAG. Her credits also include The Devil’s Advocate, Mad Max: Fury Road, Snow White and the Huntsman, Atomic Blonde, Tully and Apex.
Samantha Morton as Circe
Two-time Oscar nominee Samantha Morton plays Circe, the powerful sorceress living on the island of Aeaea who encounters Odysseus and his crew during their voyage. Christopher Nolan has singled out Morton’s performance as one of the film’s standout turns, comparing its impact to Heath Ledger‘s unforgettable Joker performance in The Dark Knight. The two-time Oscar nominee, recognized for In America and Sweet and Lowdown, is also known for Minority Report, The Messenger, The Walking Dead, and The Serpent Queen.
Lupita Nyong’o as Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra
Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o takes on two pivotal roles. She portrays Helen of Troy, whose beauty sparked the Trojan War, and Clytemnestra, Helen’s sister and wife of King Agamemnon. It marks Nyong’o’s first collaboration with Nolan. She won the Academy Award for best supporting actress for her performance in 12 Years a Slave and her other acclaimed performances include for A Quiet Place: Day One, Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the Star Wars sequel trilogy and Jordan Peele’s Us, in which she also played two roles.
Jon Bernthal as Menelaus
Jon Bernthal portrays Menelaus, King of Sparta, husband to Helen of Troy and one of the Greek commanders during the Trojan War. The actor makes his Nolan debut following acclaimed performances in The Punisher, The Walking Dead and his Emmy-winning performance in The Bear.
Benny Safdie as Agamemnon
Benny Safdie returns to work with Nolan after Oppenheimer, portraying Agamemnon, King of Mycenae and commander of the Greek forces during the Trojan War. Alongside his brother Josh Safdie, he has co-directed Daddy Longlegs, Heaven Knows What, Good Time in which Safdie also starred alongside The Odyssey cast member Robert Pattinson and Uncut Gems.
Bill Irwin as Polyphemus
Tony Award winner Bill Irwin brings the fearsome Cyclops Polyphemus to life through both performance and puppetry. The one-eyed giant famously imprisons Odysseus and his men inside a cave before being outwitted and blinded by the Greek hero. The role reunites Irwin with Nolan after he voiced and operated the beloved robot TARS in 2014’s Interstellar. His other credits include Rachel Getting Married with The Odyssey star Anne Hathaway and the Jim Carrey-led How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Irwin also won a Tony Award in 2005 for his performance in Broadway’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
John Leguizamo as Eumaeus
John Leguizamo portrays Eumaeus, Odysseus’ loyal swineherd who remains faithful to his absent king while protecting his family and estate. His other credits include Moulin Rouge!, Romeo + Juliet and Spawn, as well as voice roles in Encanto, and the Ice Age films, where he voices Sid the Sloth.
Elliot Page as Sinon
Elliot Page plays Sinon, the Greek soldier whose deception helps convince the Trojans to bring the famous wooden horse inside the city walls. Although the character does not appear in Homer’s original poem, his story is famously told in Virgil’s The Aeneid. Page’s appearance in The Odyssey comes 16 years after he starred in Nolan’s 2010 film Inception. The actor is also an Oscar nominee for his performance in the 2007 comedy Juno. His other credits include X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men: Days of Future Past and Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy.
Mia Goth as Melantho
Mia Goth portrays Melantho, one of Penelope’s maidservants who betrays her queen by siding with the suitors and beginning an affair with Antinous. Goth is best known starring in Ti West’s X, Pearl and MaXXXine, as well Infinity Pool and Frankenstein.
Himesh Patel as Eurylochus
Himesh Patel stars as Eurylochus, Odysseus’ trusted second-in-command during the perilous journey across the seas. Patel reunited with Nolan for the film after appearing in Tenet, joining several other The Odyssey cast members who have previously worked with the director. Other credits include Yesterday, Station Eleven and Don’t Look Up.
Logan Marshall-Green as Melanthius
Logan Marshall-Green portrays Melanthius, Penelope’s disloyal servant who humiliates Odysseus when the king secretly returns to Ithaca disguised as a beggar. His other credits include The O.C, The Invitation, And Just Like That and, most recently, Taylor Sheridan’s Marshals.
Travis Scott
In one of the film’s biggest surprises, rapper Travis Scott opens and closes The Odyssey, narrating Odysseus’ journey. He also contributes the original closing song, When I’m Home, alongside composer Ludwig Göransson and James Blake.
When was The Odyssey released in South Africa?
The Odyssey opened in South African cinemas alongside its global release, debuting on 17 July 2026 across Ster-Kinekor and Nu Metro cinemas, with IMAX screenings proving especially popular.
Where can you watch The Odyssey in South Africa?
The film is currently showing exclusively in cinemas across South Africa, including IMAX screenings at participating Ster-Kinekor and Nu Metro theatres.
At the time of writing, The Odyssey is not yet available to stream on Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video or Apple TV+. As with most major theatrical releases, it is expected to arrive on digital platforms several months after its cinema run, although an official streaming date has not yet been announced.
Box office success
The film has enjoyed a spectacular start at the global box office.
Opening weekend highlights
- Worldwide opening: $263.5 million
- IMAX worldwide: $52 million
- Reported production budget: $250 million
- One of Christopher Nolan‘s strongest worldwide openings
The impressive debut mirrors its success in South Africa, where audiences turned out in record numbers for IMAX screenings.
A welcome boost for South African cinemas
The success of The Odyssey arrives as cinema operators continue rebuilding audiences following the pandemic. Ster-Kinekor says Nolan’s latest blockbuster demonstrates that premium theatrical experiences continue to resonate with audiences despite increased competition from streaming services. The exhibitor also notes that Michael, the musical biopic inspired by the life of Michael Jackson, has now surpassed $1 billion at the global box office, becoming the first biographical film to reach the milestone.
South African audiences also have another major IMAX event to look forward to. Children of Blood and Bone, filmed entirely in South Africa and starring Thuso Mbedu alongside Viola Davis, Idris Elba, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Cynthia Erivo, is scheduled to arrive in IMAX cinemas on 15 January 2027.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Odyssey based on a true story?
No. The film is based on Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem, blending mythology, legend and classical literature.
How long is The Odyssey?
Christopher Nolan‘s adaptation runs for approximately 2 hours and 47 minutes.
Is The Odyssey on Netflix?
No. The film is currently playing exclusively in cinemas and has not yet been released on any streaming platform.
Is The Odyssey worth watching in IMAX?
Given Nolan’s use of large-format cameras and immersive sound design, IMAX is widely regarded as the definitive way to experience the film. South African audiences have embraced the format, with Ster-Kinekor recording its strongest IMAX opening weekend since 2019.
