The Odyssey first reactions hail Nolan's epic before UK release

172 minutes and 23 seconds: that is the scale of Christopher Nolan's latest film before its story, giant sets or record-breaking IMAX production are even considered. Following its London world premiere on 6 July, the first reactions to The Odyssey have been overwhelmingly positive, with critics praising its spectacle, performances and final act while a smaller number have raised concerns about its density and adaptation choices. The film reaches UK cinemas on 17 July 2026, turning an ancient journey home into one of this summer's biggest cinema events.

The Bottom Line

• The first public reactions describe The Odyssey as a major spectacle, with repeated praise for its action, scale and practical filmmaking.
• Matt Damon leads as Odysseus, with Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson and a large ensemble cast.
• The film runs for 172 minutes and 23 seconds and is the first feature shot entirely using IMAX film cameras.
• Nolan used more than 2 million feet of film during six months of principal photography across six countries.
• UK audiences can see the finished film from 17 July 2026, when it opens in cinemas.

Breaking It Down

The first wave of reactions arrived after the London premiere, ahead of full-length reviews. Los Angeles Times film editor Joshua Rothkopf called the film staggering and described it as Earthy, ghostly, weighty, touched by humor and grandeur alike. It's pure cinema. Others highlighted the final act, the Cyclops and Circe sequences, and the film's mix of mythology with a grounded visual approach.

Not every response was unqualified praise. IndieWire critic David Ehrlich described the film as too clunky to be S-tier Nolan, but the last act rewards the journey. That criticism points to the challenge at the heart of the adaptation: Nolan is condensing a sprawling tale of war, monsters, gods and homecoming into a film that still runs just under three hours.

The production itself explains much of the excitement. Nolan's team built multiple wooden horses around 10 metres high, used thousands of extras and created a 12-metre animatronic Cyclops. More than 5,300 costumes were made by a 400-person costume team, while filming took place in Greece, Morocco, Iceland, Italy, Scotland and the US.

At the centre is Homer's story of Odysseus, played by Damon, trying to return home after the Trojan War to Penelope, played by Hathaway, and Telemachus, played by Holland. Nolan begins with the fall of Troy before following the hero through seas, monsters and the consequences of his own decisions. The production has been described as the largest of Nolan's career, with an estimated budget of $250 million.

Why This Matters

For British filmgoers, the immediate question is not whether the entire story disappears outside premium screens, but how much of the image changes. The production was shot entirely with newly adapted IMAX film cameras, yet only around 30 cinemas worldwide can show the 70mm IMAX presentation. Standard IMAX uses a wider frame, while conventional 70mm, 35mm and digital formats crop more from the top and bottom.

That does not mean viewers outside 70mm IMAX lose the plot. The meaningful action remains framed for other cinema formats, although the tallest landscapes and fullest compositions are reserved for the 1.43:1 presentation. For UK audiences deciding between screenings, the practical difference is therefore visual scale rather than missing story.

The wider industry stakes are substantial as well. Initial projections cited a North American opening of $80 million to $100 million. The positive early response gives the film momentum, but full reviews and ticket sales will provide the clearer test of whether a nearly 3,000-year-old story can become one of 2026's biggest modern blockbusters.

What Comes Next

Full-length reviews are expected after the first social-media reactions, giving audiences a more detailed picture of the film's strengths and weaknesses. The Odyssey then opens in cinemas on Friday 17 July 2026.

The next measurable questions are straightforward: whether the strong early praise continues after the full review embargo lifts, and whether demand translates into the projected box-office opening.