Entertainment
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Smashes Another Box Office Record… Set to Become the No. 2 Highest-Grossing R-Rated Film in North America
Just three weeks after its release, The Odyssey has overtaken American Sniper at the North American box office and is now closing in on Deadpool and The Passion of the Christ.
Christopher Nolan’s latest cinematic spectacle, The Odyssey, continues to dominate the box office, adding yet another milestone to its remarkable theatrical journey.
Only three weeks after hitting cinemas, the mythological epic has surpassed American Sniper to become the fourth highest-grossing R-rated film in North American box office history. With momentum still on its side, industry projections suggest the film is likely to climb to the second position among the highest-grossing R-rated movies before the weekend concludes.
The impressive performance further cements The Odyssey as one of the biggest theatrical successes of 2026.
Strong Third Friday Boosts Record-Breaking Run
The film collected an estimated $14.5 million on its third Friday, marking the second-biggest third Friday ever for an R-rated film.
The latest numbers also represent the highest third Friday of Christopher Nolan’s career, surpassing the benchmark previously set by The Dark Knight.
After just 15 days in theatres, The Odyssey has accumulated approximately $359 million across North America, registering a relatively modest 43.4% decline from the previous Friday—an indication of its exceptional audience retention and sustained demand.
American Sniper Overtaken, More Records in Sight
According to Box Office Mojo, The Odyssey has officially moved ahead of American Sniper, which earned $350.2 million during its domestic run.
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The film is now on course to surpass two more major box office milestones:
- Deadpool – $363.1 million
- The Passion of the Christ – $370.8 million
If projections hold, The Odyssey will become the second highest-grossing R-rated film in North American history, trailing only Deadpool & Wolverine.
Current Highest-Grossing R-Rated Films in North America
| Rank | Film | Domestic Collection |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deadpool & Wolverine | $636.7 million |
| 2 | The Passion of the Christ | $370.8 million |
| 3 | Deadpool | $363.1 million |
| 4 | The Odyssey | $359 million (still running) |
| 5 | American Sniper | $350.2 million |
With the film still attracting large audiences, its position is expected to improve further.
Global Earnings Cross $720 Million
Released on July 17, The Odyssey has also enjoyed outstanding success internationally.
By its third Friday, the film had collected an estimated $721.6 million worldwide, making it one of the year’s highest-grossing releases.
The combination of strong domestic demand, positive audience reception and Christopher Nolan’s global fan following has helped maintain the film’s momentum well beyond its opening weekend.
Christopher Nolan Adds Another Blockbuster to His Legacy
Known for delivering critically acclaimed and commercially successful films, Christopher Nolan has once again demonstrated his ability to draw audiences to theatres.
The Odyssey’s sustained box office performance reflects the continued popularity of large-scale cinematic experiences and reinforces Nolan’s reputation as one of Hollywood’s most successful filmmakers.
As the weekend progresses, industry observers will be watching closely to see whether the film secures another historic milestone by becoming North America’s second highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time.
