The Odyssey crosses $1 billion despite Spider-Man blitz, surpasses The Dark Knight’s lifetime haul

Christopher Nolan’s epic adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey has crossed the $1 billion mark at the global box office, achieving the milestone within three weeks of its theatrical release.

The Matt Damon-led film has earned $429.6 million in North America and $578.8 million from international markets, taking its worldwide total to $1.009 billion.

With the milestone, The Odyssey has edged past Nolan’s 2008 blockbuster The Dark Knight, which finished its theatrical run with $1.008 billion. The film is now within striking distance of The Dark Knight Rises, which earned $1.081 billion worldwide.

The Odyssey needs roughly $73 million more to become Nolan’s highest-grossing film ever, a target trade analysts expect it could reach by the end of its fourth weekend.

‘The Odyssey’ withstands Spider-Man challenge

The Odyssey enjoyed a strong opening, crossing $500 million worldwide in its first week and maintaining solid momentum in its second week. By the time Spider-Man: Brand New Day arrived as a major competitor, Nolan’s film had already surpassed $800 million globally.

The superhero film’s massive $1.2 billion opening week, however, affected The Odyssey’s theatrical run. Its North American third-weekend collection fell to $51 million from $90 million the previous weekend, while its international performance was also affected as Spider-Man captured a large share of premium screens.

The film’s strong performance in IMAX has helped sustain its box-office momentum despite the increased competition.

About ‘The Odyssey’

Based on Homer’s ancient Greek epic, The Odyssey stars Matt Damon as Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, who embarks on a perilous 10-year journey home following the Trojan War.

Anne Hathaway plays his wife Penelope, while Tom Holland portrays their son Telemachus. The cast also includes Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong’o, Samantha Morton and Zendaya.

The film has received widespread critical acclaim, with particular praise for its scale, practical effects and themes of redemption. Performances by Pattinson and Morton have also drawn strong reviews.

With its billion-dollar haul and continued theatrical momentum, The Odyssey is already being tipped as a major contender at next year’s Academy Awards.