Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' crossed $1 billion at the global box office on Wednesday, distributor Universal Pictures announced, cementing the film's position as one of 2026's biggest cinematic successes. The milestone came in the film's second week of wide release.

The Homer adaptation, shot largely on IMAX cameras, opened to strong reviews and near-capacity screenings across North America, Europe and Asia. International markets, particularly the United Kingdom, France and India, drove much of the second-week momentum as word of mouth spread.

The billion-dollar mark makes 'The Odyssey' Nolan's fastest film to reach the figure, surpassing the pace set by his 2023 release 'Oppenheimer'. Box-office trackers at Comscore noted that premium large-format screenings accounted for an unusually high share of ticket sales, with IMAX auditoriums selling out weeks in advance.

The film's performance offered a boost to Universal and cinema chains still recovering ground against streaming platforms. Exhibitors including AMC Theatres and Cineworld reported that extended IMAX runs had lifted concession and premium-ticket revenue through the summer.

Universal Pictures expects continued strong holds into the film's third weekend as it expands further across Asian and Latin American markets. A studio spokesperson noted that "audiences are turning out for a genuine theatrical event."