The Odyssey, the latest epic from acclaimed filmmaker Christopher Nolan, will be released in cinemas across the Middle East on 17 July 2026, bringing Homer’s legendary tale to the big screen in what the director describes as his most ambitious project to date.
Based on the ancient Greek epic by Homer, the film follows the long and perilous journey of Odysseus as he attempts to return home after the Trojan War. Widely regarded as one of the foundational works of Western literature, The Odyssey is being reimagined as a large-scale cinematic spectacle, filmed entirely with IMAX cameras across six countries.
For Nolan, whose previous films include Oppenheimer, Inception and The Dark Knight trilogy, the project represents a long-held ambition.
“The Odyssey is an incredible work that’s extremely important to the history of the world and development of culture, but it has never been adapted as a modern blockbuster,” Nolan said. “I was energized by the challenge of creating the mythic world of Ancient Greece and excited about telling its story in a way I’d never seen.”
Leading the cast is Matt Damon as Odysseus, the King of Ithaca, alongside Tom Holland as his son Telemachus and Anne Hathaway as Queen Penelope.
The ensemble also includes Zendaya as the goddess Athena, Charlize Theron as the immortal nymph Calypso, Robert Pattinson as Antinous, Lupita Nyong’o in dual roles as Helen of Troy and Clytemnestra, Samantha Morton as Circe, Jon Bernthal, John Leguizamo, Elliot Page, Benny Safdie, Corey Hawkins, Himesh Patel, Bill Irwin and Mia Goth.
Behind the camera, Nolan reunites with many of the collaborators who helped bring Oppenheimer to life, including Academy Award-winning cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema, editor Jennifer Lame and composer Ludwig Göransson.
Nolan’s films have collectively earned more than US$6 billion at the global box office. His most recent release, Oppenheimer, grossed nearly US$1 billion worldwide and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director.
With its blend of mythology, large-scale action and cutting-edge IMAX filmmaking, The Odyssey is expected to be one of the biggest cinematic releases of the summer.
The film opens in cinemas across the region on 17 July 2026.
