Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey was always expected to reclaim the top spot at the weekend box office. The real question was how well it would hold after its massive opening—and the answer is: exceptionally well.
Typically, a blockbuster that opens north of $100 million and drops less than 50% in its second weekend is considered to have strong legs. A decline of less than 40% is exceptional. The Odyssey is looking at a drop of only 32%, putting it in elite company among modern tentpoles.
According to Deadline, the film is on track for an $84.5 million second weekend, while Exhibitor Relations has it closer to $90 million. Either way, it would mark the biggest second weekend of Christopher Nolan’s career, surpassing The Dark Knight, which earned $75.1 million in its second weekend back in 2008 (although, adjusted for inflation, The Dark Knightstill comes out ahead). The film also easily outperformed our own prediction of a $75 million weekend.
Whatever the final number, The Odyssey is now on pace to surpass Oppenheimer‘s domestic total of $330 million. While next weekend’s release of Spider-Man: Brand New Day will provide its biggest competition yet, The Odyssey still looks capable of reaching $500 million domestically, while a $1 billion worldwide finish now seems all but inevitable.
Meanwhile, Moana is looking at a $10 million third weekend as it slowly crawls toward the $100 million mark. Toy Story 5 and Minions & Monsters are battling for third place, with each projected to earn about $9 million.
No estimates are yet available for Nicolas Winding Refn’s Her Private Hell or Motor City, starring Alan Ritchson. Instead, the top five will likely be rounded out by Hadestown: The Musical, the filmed version of the hit Broadway show, which is expected to earn an impressive $9 million during its limited five-day run.
What are you watching this weekend? Let us know in the comments!
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