The Odyssey is finally here, and it's Christopher Nolan's biggest movie yet. The film is based on Homer's epic poem, and it charts the story of Odysseus, the king of Ithaca, and his arduous journey home from the Trojan War.
Matt Damon leads a star-studded cast that includes the likes of Robert Pattinson, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, Tom Holland, Zendaya, and more. Below, we've broken down everything you need to know about the movie, from a brief overview of the plot to the full cast, as well as the movie's critical reception.
While you're at it, have a read of our list of the best Christopher Nolan movies, too.
The Odyssey release date
Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey was released on July 17, 2026.
Because this is Nolan, it arrived exclusively in theaters worldwide during the summer blockbuster season. The best way to watch it is on an IMAX screen, as this is the first movie ever shot completely in the format.
The Odyssey runtime
The Odyssey isn't Christopher Nolan's longest movie, but it's still pretty lengthy, clocking in at 172 minutes (aka 2 hours and 52 minutes, including credits).
There's a good reason why it's under 3 hours: there's a hard limit of 3 hours on movies shot using IMAX film, as the spools aren't big enough to handle anything bigger.
The Odyssey cast
If you thought Oppenheimer featured a stacked cast, it's nothing compared to The Odyssey.
This film sees an all-star cast come together to bring this epic story to the big screen, with many of Nolan's former collaborators returning. That includes Matt Damon and Benny Safdie.
The cast also includes Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, and Elliot Page, joined by other Hollywood A-listers like Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron.
You can see The Odyssey cast below:
- Matt Damon – Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithaca
- Tom Holland – Telemachus, Odysseus' son
- Anne Hathaway – Penelope, Odysseus' wife
- Zendaya – Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war
- Robert Pattinson – Antinous, one of Penelope's suitors
- Charlize Theron – Calypso, a nymph
- Jon Bernthal – Menelaus, the Greek king of Sparta
- Benny Safdie – Agamemnon, brother of Menelaus and the commander of the Achaeans during the Trojan War
- Himesh Patel – Eurylochus, Odysseus's second-in-command
- John Leguizamo – Eumaeus, Odysseus' servant
- Mia Goth – Melantho, Penelope's maid
- Lupita Nyong'o – Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra
- Bill Irwin – Polyphemus (aka the Cyclops)
- Samantha Morton – Circe the witch
- Jimmy Gonzales – Cepheus
- Andrew Howard – Polites
- Elliot Page – Sinon
The Odyssey plot
The Odyssey tells the story of Odysseus's return home from the Trojan War, which takes a full 10 years. His journey is plagued with setbacks and problems, beginning with getting trapped in the cave of a Cyclops, and extending through a stay on a witch's island, a battle with man-eating giants, and a sea monster. You can read more about his foes in our guide to The Odyssey monsters.
Meanwhile, in Odysseus's home of Ithaca, his wife Penelope must fend of suitors who wish to marry her and become king, while her son, Telemachus, is under constant threat from the men.
Eventually, Odysseus makes it back to Ithaca and takes on the suitors. He is able to slay them all, but instead of staying at home, he sets off on another journey to redeem himself from leaving his fallen crew unburied. This time, though, Penelope goes with him. Telemachus stays behind to finally become king. You can read a full breakdown in our The Odyssey ending explained.
Is there a The Odyssey trailer?
Yes, there are two trailers for The Odyssey.
The first teaser was more of a mood piece, introducing us to some of the awe-inspiring imagery we'll be witnessing on screens next summer.
The second trailer was released in May 2026 and revealed a bit more of the story. In the footage, which you can watch above, Odysseus speaks to Charlize Theron's Calypso, telling of his desire to return home to his wife and son. We also see some glimpses of that treacherous journey, including battles with giants and a Cyclops too. The trailer also reveals some of what life at home is like for Penelope and Telemachus as they must deal with constant suitors wanting to take Odysseus' place, including Robert Pattinson's Antinous.
The Odyssey reviews
The Odyssey reviews are incredibly strong. The film has a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score, and our own The Odyssey review awards the movie five stars: "A grounded, spiritual, uncanny rendering of Greek myth, The Odyssey is a dazzling epic and a major film-of-the-year contender. Post-Oppenheimer, Christopher Nolan continues to operate at the height of his filmmaking powers."
Check out our guide to all the other movie release dates you need to add to your calendar.
