Christopher Nolan's 'The Odyssey' premieres in New York: What to know about the star-studded movie

Lead actor revealed for upcoming Christopher Nolan film 'The Odyssey'
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
July 15, 2026, 1:09 PM

Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated "The Odyssey" film held its New York premiere Tuesday night, featuring stars including Matt Damon, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland and Charlize Theron.

The stars walked the red carpet at AMC Lincoln Square Theater ahead of the film's theatrical release on July 17.

Charlize Theron, Samantha Morton, John Leguizamo, Tom Holland, Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong'o and Zendaya attend the premiere of "The Odyssey" July 14, 2026 in New York City.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Here's what to know about Nolan's adaptation of Homer's classic Greek epic.

What is 'The Odyssey' about?

Based on the ancient Greek epic poem by Homer, "The Odyssey" follows the legendary hero Odysseus as he embarks on a perilous journey home following the Trojan War.

The story, considered one of the most influential works of literature ever written, chronicles Odysseus' encounters with mythical creatures, powerful gods and dangerous obstacles as he attempts to reunite with his wife and son.

Universal Pictures has described the film as a "mythic action epic" that brings Homer's classic tale to the big screen on a grand scale.

Who is in the cast?

Matt Damon is shown in a scene from "The Odyssey."
Universal Pictures

Matt Damon stars as Odysseus in the film, which features an ensemble cast that includes Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Charlize Theron and Robert Pattinson.

The project reunites Nolan with several actors he has worked with previously, including Damon and Hathaway, while also marking his first collaboration with some of Hollywood's biggest younger stars.

When will 'The Odyssey' be released?

"The Odyssey" is scheduled to open in theaters on July 17, 2026.

The film is being released by Universal Pictures, the same studio behind "Oppenheimer," which won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Why is the movie such a big deal?

Part of the excitement surrounding "The Odyssey" comes from its large-scale production and the way it was filmed.

According to IMAX, the movie was shot entirely with IMAX film cameras, a format designed to create larger, more immersive images on the big screen.

Many theaters are also planning special 70mm screenings, a premium format known for its sharp picture quality and enhanced viewing experience.

The combination of Nolan's filmmaking, the star-studded cast and the film's large-format presentation has helped make "The Odyssey" one of the most anticipated movies of the year.

Why are moviegoers facing long waits for tickets?

Robert Pattinson is shown in a scene from "The Odyssey."
Universal Pictures

Advance ticket sales for select IMAX 70mm screenings prompted long virtual queues as moviegoers rushed to secure seats.

Deadline reported that some AMC customers experienced wait times of up to an hour before the queues shortened later in the day. The outlet said the delays were caused by heavy demand rather than technical issues.

The rush for tickets highlights anticipation for Nolan's latest film and the limited number of theaters capable of screening it in IMAX 70mm.

Where can audiences see it in IMAX 70mm?

IMAX has released a list of theaters that will screen "The Odyssey" in IMAX 70mm, one of the most sought-after movie formats.

Because only a limited number of theaters are equipped to project IMAX 70mm film, tickets for those screenings have generated significant demand.

Additional theaters are planning 70mm presentations of the film, offering moviegoers another large-format option.

Where were premieres held for 'The Odyssey'?

In addition to the New York premiere on July 14, the stars of "The Odyssey" also attended the film's world premiere in London on July 6.

Scroll down to see more photos from the movie's New York and London premieres.

PHOTO: Director Christopher Nolan and cast attend the world premiere of "The Odyssey" July 6, 2026 in London.
L-R: Himesh Patel, Travis Scott, Mia Goth, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong'o, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan, Zendaya, Samantha Morton, Elliot Page, Benny Safdie, John Leguizamo, Hoyte van Hoytema and Ludwig Goransson attend the world premiere of "The Odyssey" July 6, 2026 in London.
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images
Lupita Nyong'o attends 'The Odyssey' London Premiere, July 6, 2026 in London.
Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images
Zendaya attends 'The Odyssey' London Premiere, July 6, 2026 in London.
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
Charlize Theron, Samantha Morton, John Leguizamo, Tom Holland, Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong'o and Zendaya attend the premiere of "The Odyssey" July 14, 2026 in New York City.
Mike Coppola/Getty Images
PHOTO: The cast attend the premiere of "The Odyssey" July 14, 2026 in New York City.
Travis Scott, Benny Safdie, Elliot Page, Corey Hawkins, Tom Holland, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan, Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong'o, Charlize Theron, John Leguizamo, Zendaya, Samantha Morton, Himesh Patel, Jon Bernthal, and Logan Marshall-Green attend the premiere of "The Odyssey" July 14, 2026 in New York City.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong'o, Charlize Theron, Zendaya, and Samantha Morton attend the premiere of "The Odyssey" July 14, 2026 in New York City.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Charlize Theron attends the premiere of "The Odyssey" July 14, 2026, in New York.
Evan Agostini/AP Photo/Evan Agostini
Zendaya attends the premiere of "The Odyssey" July 14, 2026, in New York.
Evan Agostini/AP Photo
Lupita Nyong'o attends the premiere of "The Odyssey" July 14, 2026, in New York.
Evan Agostini/AP Photo
Anne Hathaway attends the premiere of "The Odyssey" July 14, 2026, in New York.
Evan Agostini/AP Photo
Matt Damon, Christopher Nolan, and Anne Hathaway attend the New York premiere of "The Odyssey" July 14, 2026 in New York City.
Taylor Hill/Getty Images

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