# 'The Odyssey' Just Broke Universal's Record

> Nolan's Homer adaptation passed $1.677 billion and became the biggest R-rated movie in history.
- Title: 'The Odyssey' Just Broke Universal's Record · Maxim | Shortify
- Summary: Nolan's Homer adaptation passed $1.677 billion and became the biggest R-rated movie in history. A three-hour, R-rated, non-sequel epic just outgrossed every…
- Keywords: box office, christopher nolan, the odyssey, oscars, movies, 'The, Odyssey', Just, Broke, Universal's, Record, Maxim
- Source: Maxim — https://maxim.com/entertainment/the-odyssey-is-universal-pictures-highest-grossing-movie-ever-an-early-oscars-contender
- Published: 2026-09-15T09:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: box office, christopher nolan, the odyssey, oscars, movies
## A new studio record
The Odyssey passed $1.677 billion worldwide, overtaking 2015's Jurassic World as the highest-grossing release in Universal Pictures history.
## Nolan's biggest opener yet
The Matt Damon-led film debuted at No. 1 worldwide and stayed there two weeks, beating The Dark Knight Rises for Nolan's best opening.
## Records stacked on records
It set the biggest domestic opening for IMAX 70MM, the biggest Universal R-rated opening, and the biggest opening for a Best Director follow-up.
## The first since 2009
It is the highest-grossing R-rated film and IMAX film ever, and the first non-sequel, non-remake to clear $1 billion internationally since 2009.

> It continues to buck box office trends at every turn
## Still climbing in week eight
The film returned to No. 1 globally in its eighth weekend before slipping to No. 3 behind Spider-Man: Brand New Day and Practical Magic 2.
## Oscar math favors Dune
Variety predicts The Odyssey leads with 15 nominations over Dune: Part Three's 12, but still picks Dune for Best Picture. Nominations land January 21, 2027.
## Key takeaway

A three-hour, R-rated, non-sequel epic just outgrossed every movie Universal has ever released, which is not how the modern box office is supposed to work.