Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey opened to $120.5 million domestically this weekend, breaking the filmmaker’s previous opening weekend record and instantly becoming the year’s top live-action film at the box office. Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Robert Pattinson carry the ambitious three-hour sci-fi drama, which Universal released on 2,960 screens.

The film earned $17.5 million in Thursday previews alone. Globally, it tracked toward $257 million, making it Nolan’s best worldwide opening ever—surpassing both The Dark Knight and Oppenheimer.

Why the Numbers Matter

The Odyssey is now the highest-grossing R-rated opening of the year, ahead of Backrooms at $81.4 million. For Universal, it’s the studio’s largest opening for a rated-R film, topping Fifty Shades of Grey at $85.1 million.

The audience score on Rotten Tomatoes sits at 96 percent, making it Nolan’s best audience reception to date. Damon’s opening is also the largest of his career as a lead, surpassing The Bourne Ultimatum from 2007.

What This Means for Summer

The film positions itself as a serious awards contender heading into fall and winter release season. Nolan has now delivered five consecutive blockbusters that blend commercial appeal with critical respect. The $300 million production budget—among the highest ever—appears justified by the early returns.

The Odyssey will continue to draw crowds seeking spectacle that respects its audience’s intelligence.