UPDATE: The turnout showed up. The Odyssey opened to $120.5 million domestic with an ‘A’ CinemaScore, the best live-action debut of 2026, and its $257.8 million global launch is the biggest of Nolan’s career.
The fans have spoken, and the number is dead even with the critics.
The Rotten Tomatoes Popcornmeter for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey went live Thursday night at 96% with more than 500 verified ratings, earning the Verified Hot badge and matching the film’s 96% Tomatometer.
That makes it the highest audience score of Nolan’s career. The Dark Knight had held the crown since 2008, sitting at 94% across more than half a million ratings, with Oppenheimer and Inception next in line at 91% apiece.
The Odyssey just cleared them all. And since The Dark Knight and Memento also top Nolan’s filmography with critics at 94%, the new epic now stands as his best-received movie ever on both sides of the meter.
Critics Settle At 96%
As we reported when the review embargo lifted Wednesday, the Tomatometer debuted at 98% and flirted with 99%.
It has since settled at 96% across 276 reviews, still Certified Fresh and still ahead of everything else in the catalog.
It also caps a turnaround from the most disliked trailer of Nolan’s career.
Now Comes The Money
The Odyssey opens wide Friday, July 17 following Thursday night previews, with tracking pointing to an $80 million to $120 million domestic debut against a $250 million budget.
A 96/96 removes the last excuse. The reviews are locked, the word of mouth is locked, and Universal is even firing DMCA takedowns at memes hours before launch.
All that’s left is turnout.
Matt Damon leads Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Lupita Nyong’o, Jon Bernthal, Mia Goth, Samantha Morton, and Elliot Page. Rated R, 2 hours 52 minutes.
For the full cast, story breakdown, and every update, see our complete Odyssey guide.
