Director Christopher Nolan has set a new personal career record at the global box office with his ancient Greek epic “The Odyssey,” which has officially crossed $1.1 billion worldwide.
Released in theaters on July 17, the three-hour blockbuster generated $1.104 billion globally in less than a month.
The total makes the film the highest-grossing release of Nolan’s career, overtaking his 2012 superhero film “The Dark Knight Rises,” which earned $1.085 billion worldwide, and 2008’s “The Dark Knight,” which brought in $1.005 billion.
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The achievement also pushes Nolan’s cumulative lifetime directorial earnings past $7 billion worldwide.
Based on Homer’s foundational Greek poem, “The Odyssey” follows Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, as the king of Ithaca embarks on a dangerous 10-year journey home following the Trojan War.
The $250 million production, excluding marketing costs features a star-studded cast that includes Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Charlize Theron, and Lupita Nyong’o.
The milestone marks the highest-grossing theatrical release to date for lead actors Damon, Hathaway, and Pattinson.
Produced by Nolan and his wife, Emma Thomas, alongside their production company Syncopy, the project was released by Universal Pictures.
“The Odyssey” opened at No. 1 worldwide and maintained the top spot for two consecutive weekends.
It is the third Universal Pictures title to hit $1 billion globally this year, joining “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” and the biographical drama “Michael.”
Studio executives credited the film’s theatrical run to high consumer demand for premium large formats and repeat viewings.
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Jim Orr, president of domestic theatrical distribution at Universal Pictures, noted that Nolan has built strong audience trust by consistently delivering event-level cinema.
Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, president of international distribution, appreciated the movie’s widespread global resonance and massive scale.
Nolan at the age of 56, wrote, directed, and produced the adaptation and the film’s commercial success reflects sustained audience appetite for director-driven, large-scale cinematic experiences on the big screen.