A new studio record

The Odyssey has passed Jurassic World to become the highest-grossing film Universal Pictures has ever released, just under two months after opening.

The numbers behind it

The Odyssey has cleared US$1.677 billion worldwide. Jurassic World took roughly US$1.671 billion across its entire 2015 theatrical run.

Homer, on screen

Released July 17, it follows Matt Damon as Odysseus, king of Ithaca, on the ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. Critics have been strong on it.

Twelfth of all time

It should reach US$1.685 billion globally this weekend, putting it 12th on the all-time chart and third among non-franchise titles.

Nolan's biggest yet

It crossed a billion dollars less than a month after release, topping The Dark Knight Rises as the best earner of his career. He wrote, directed and co-produced it with Emma Thomas.

The studio's verdict

NBCUniversal entertainment chairman Donna Langley framed the film as something rarer than a hit, calling it a turning point for the moviegoing habit itself.

“A generational event that galvanises moviegoing itself.”

Stacked cast, long runtime

Three hours, with Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong'o, Tom Holland and Zendaya alongside Damon. It opened at number one and held for two weekends.

An expensive bet paid off

The reported production budget was US$250 million before marketing, one of Nolan's priciest. It is one of three Universal films to pass a billion this year.