Christopher Nolan's film "The Odyssey" earned $17.6 million [1] from Thursday night preview screenings in the U.S.
This opening performance marks the highest preview total recorded so far in 2026. The result signals strong audience demand for the production and establishes a high baseline for the film's full weekend box-office run.
The movie, produced by Universal and Syncopy, stars Matt Damon, Tom Holland, and Anne Hathaway [5]. This preview total surpasses the previous year-to-date record of $17.5 million [2] held by Toy Story 5.
Premium formats played a significant role in the early revenue. IMAX digital screens accounted for 25% [1] of the preview earnings. Another 25% [1] of the revenue came from exhibitor-owned premium large format screens, including Dolby, and Screen-X.
Universal scheduled the Thursday night previews specifically to launch the weekend run and generate record-setting revenue [1]. While some reports listed the total at $17.5 million [2] or $17 million [3], the figure of $17.6 million [1] is the highest reported total among the primary sources.
Nolan's approach to large-format cinematography often drives viewers toward IMAX and PLF screens, a trend reflected in the 50% combined contribution from those formats [1]. This distribution of earnings suggests that the film's technical presentation is a primary draw for the audience.
“The Odyssey earned $17.6 million from Thursday night preview screenings in the U.S.”
The record-breaking preview numbers indicate that Christopher Nolan continues to maintain significant 'event' status for his releases. By capturing 50% of early revenue from premium large formats, the film is maximizing per-ticket yield, which often leads to higher overall opening weekend totals than standard wide releases.
