AceShowbiz - The Odyssey earned a remarkable $17.6 million in Thursday night preview screenings across the U.S., setting the biggest Thursday night opening of 2026 and surpassing the previous record held by Toy Story 5’s $17.5 million, Superherohype reports. The nearly three-hour R-rated film is projected to bring in between $90 million and $100 million during its opening weekend, signaling a strong box office start for director Christopher Nolan.

Winteriscoming adds that The Odyssey also shattered ticket sales records internationally, with the BFI IMAX in the UK selling 28,000 tickets within the first 24 hours and generating £750,000 ($1 million), more than doubling the previous record held by Dune: Part Two. The film’s U.S. IMAX 70mm screenings, which went on sale a year in advance, sold about 95% of tickets within an hour, earning $1.5 million. Scalpers have resold some tickets for up to $400 on eBay.

The Odyssey is an ambitious action-drama produced by Warner Bros. Pictures and directed by Christopher Nolan, who previously earned acclaim with his Dark Knight trilogy and the 2023 hit Oppenheimer. Starring Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Anne Hathaway, the film draws inspiration from Greek mythology and carries a production budget estimated near $250 million.

This strong preview performance places The Odyssey on track to surpass Nolan’s last opening, with projections close to the $118 million estimated weekend debut, approaching the scale of The Dark Knight’s $158.4 million opening. The film’s R rating has not deterred audiences, as recent years have shown that mature-themed movies, especially those helmed by respected directors or part of major franchises, can exceed box office expectations. With less direct competition until the release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day two weeks later, The Odyssey is poised to make a significant impact this summer.

This article is based on reporting originally published by Superherohype.