Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey Releases First Trailer: Ancient Epic Meets Modern Cinema

A Legendary Tale Returns to the Big Screen

Universal Pictures has released the first teaser for Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, starring Matt Damon as Odysseus, marking one of the most anticipated cinematic events of 2026. The trailer, released on 22 December 2025, offers audiences a glimpse into one of the oldest stories ever told, reimagined for a modern audience on an epic cinematic scale.

Homer’s Timeless Masterpiece

The Odyssey is regarded as one of the most significant works of the Western canon, and is officially the most influential story to have shaped the entire world, according to a poll of more than 100 international authors, academics, journalists, and critics conducted by Britain’s BBC. The epic poem in 24 books is traditionally attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer and tells the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, who wanders for 10 years trying to get home after the Trojan War.

Nolan’s Ambitious Vision

The Odyssey is the first narrative feature to be filmed entirely in IMAX 70mm, representing an estimated budget of $250 million, the most expensive of Nolan’s career. The film follows the Greek hero Odysseus, played by Matt Damon, as he travels the long and winding path back home after the Trojan War. Damon stars alongside Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Tom Holland, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron, Mia Goth, Benny Safdie, Jon Bernthal, John Leguizamo and more.

A Cultural Phenomenon in the Making

Nolan’s most recent blockbuster was Oppenheimer, which won seven Oscars in 2024. The Odyssey hits theaters on July 17, 2026, and has already sold out 70MM Imax tickets at AMC and Regal cinemas. The film promises to bring Homer’s ancient tale of heroism, monsters, and the perilous journey home to life with unprecedented scale and visual grandeur, potentially introducing this foundational work of Western literature to a new generation of audiences worldwide.