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Christopher Nolan's mythological epic "The Odyssey" opened domestically to $51.2 million on Friday from 3,900 North American screens, including Thursday preview showings, according to studio estimates.
The figure puts the Universal Pictures release on track for a weekend total exceeding $120 million, which would make it the year's biggest live-action opening behind "Toy Story 5" ($159 million) and "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie" ($131 million).
The film received an A rating from CinemaScore audience polling. It is also positioned to record the year's top R-rated opening and Universal's highest-ever domestic weekend launch for an R-rated title.
Internationally, "The Odyssey" is projected to add $137.3 million from 73 markets, bringing its combined global weekend total to an estimated $257.8 million.
The production has a $250 million budget; Universal had reportedly targeted a domestic opening in the $80 million to $100 million range before the film's Friday performance exceeded projections.
Directed by Nolan and produced by Nolan and Emma Thomas for Syncopy, the film stars Matt Damon as Odysseus alongside Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Elliot Page, Jon Bernthal and John Leguizamo.
The story follows Odysseus' journey home to Ithaca after the Trojan War to reclaim his throne and reunite with his wife, Penelope, played by Hathaway.
"The Odyssey" is the first feature shot entirely on IMAX cameras. IMAX screenings are estimated to account for $30 million of the domestic total, or roughly 25%, with an additional $22 million projected from international IMAX showings. Twenty-five U.S. theaters are screening the film in IMAX 70mm format.
The opening ranks as the third-largest domestic debut of Nolan's career and his best outside the Batman franchise, trailing "The Dark Knight Rises" ($160 million in 2012) and "The Dark Knight" ($158 million in 2008).
Globally, the film is set to surpass "The Dark Knight Rises," which opened to $249 million worldwide, marking Nolan's largest global launch to date.
By comparison, Nolan's 2023 release "Oppenheimer" opened domestically with $82.4 million and went on to gross $975 million worldwide, later winning seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
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"The Odyssey" holds a 95% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest of Nolan's career, ahead of "The Dark Knight" and "Memento," both at 94%. The film carries a 97% audience score on the platform.
Disney's live-action "Moana" placed second for the weekend, adding an estimated $19 million domestically in its second frame, a decline of about 56% from its opening. The film's two-week domestic total stands at approximately $82 million against a production budget of $250 million.
Universal's "Minions & Monsters" and Disney's "Toy Story 5" are in close competition for third place. "Minions & Monsters" is projected to add $14 million in its third weekend, bringing its domestic total to $136 million against an $85 million budget.
"Toy Story 5" is estimated to add $13.8 million in its fifth weekend, pushing its domestic total to approximately $429 million.
Warner Bros.' "Evil Dead Burn" rounds out the top five, with an estimated $4.7 million for its second weekend, a 66% decline that brings its domestic total to $23.8 million.
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