The Odyssey eyes $15 million in Thursday previews
Christopher Nolan’s Universal epic is pacing ahead of Oppenheimer in early previews, according to Deadline, with premium-format demand driving the launch.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
3 min read
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is starting its box office trip with an estimated $15 million from Thursday previews in the U.S., according to Deadline, which cited sources for the early figure.
If that estimate holds, Deadline reported, the Universal release would have the strongest live-action preview start of the year so far. It would move ahead of Lionsgate’s Michael, which Deadline said took in $12.6 million in previews before a $97.2 million U.S. opening.
Universal did not respond to Deadline’s request for comment on the estimate.
The early number also puts The Odyssey ahead of Nolan’s last theatrical heavyweight, Oppenheimer. Deadline reported that Oppenheimer made $10.5 million in previews, helped by premium large-format ticket sales. That film went on to a $33 million Friday including previews and an $82.4 million three-day opening while Barbie led the weekend.
Among Nolan’s films, Deadline said The Odyssey would rank third for U.S. preview nights if the estimate stands. It trails The Dark Knight Rises, which made $30.6 million in previews, and The Dark Knight, which made $18.5 million.
Premium seats are steering the ship
The big question for the weekend, Deadline reported, is how far The Odyssey can expand beyond premium-format auditoriums. The report said many moviegoers appear willing to wait for top seats and prime showtimes rather than settle for less ideal screenings.
Advance ticket sales were around $30 million to $40 million heading into the weekend, sources told Deadline. For comparison, Deadline said Wicked: For Good had $60 million in advance sales before a $147 million U.S. and Canada opening, while Deadpool & Wolverine had $50 million in presales before opening to a domestic R-rated record of $211.4 million.
Imax 70MM demand has been especially intense. Deadline reported that those showtimes for The Odyssey sold out a year in advance, and that Imax or large-format seats over the next three days are scarce enough that late buyers may be left with front-row options.
The film’s running time is 2 hours and 52 minutes, according to Deadline, placing it near other premium-driven event movies. James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water, which ran 3 hours and 12 minutes, made $17 million in previews and opened to $134 million over three days in 2022, Deadline reported.
The Odyssey is also pacing above Dune: Part II in previews. Deadline said the 2024 Legendary and Warner Bros. release made $12 million in previews before an $82.5 million North American opening.
Audience score opens high
On Rotten Tomatoes, The Odyssey has a 96% audience score, Deadline reported. That would be the highest audience mark for a Nolan film on the platform, ahead of the 94% scores listed for Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and Memento, as well as the 91% score for Oppenheimer.
Deadline said more box office updates are expected as the weekend numbers come into focus.
This story draws on original reporting from Deadline.