The Odyssey: Christopher Nolan’s longest film yet

The long-awaited film The Odyssey, Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of the Greek epic, has revealed its official runtime. At an impressive 2 hours and 53 minutes, it is Nolan’s second-longest film, behind Oppenheimer, which runs 3 hours.

Quick runtime breakdown

• The Odyssey: 173 minutes (2 hours and 53 minutes)

• Oppenheimer: 180 minutes (3 hours)

• Interstellar: 169 minutes (2 hours and 49 minutes)

• The Dark Knight Rises: 165 minutes (2 hours and 45 minutes)

The runtime was confirmed by IMAX and AMC Theatres, though that information was later removed from their websites. The film’s credits may take up 5 to 10 minutes of the total runtime.

Presales and release

In July, a limited ticket presale for The Odyssey gave fans the chance to book opening weekend seats. Those showings were for 70mm IMAX, even before the first trailer hit theaters. More presales for standard IMAX and theatrical versions of the film are expected soon.

Casting controversy and historical accuracy

Despite the huge anticipation around the film, online controversy has emerged, especially over the casting of Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o as both Helen of Troy and her sister Clytemnestra. Nyong’o responded to the criticism by saying she feels honored to play the role, but does not want to defend herself against the negative reactions.

Nolan has also faced criticism over alleged historical inaccuracies in the film. Some viewers have objected to the accents and dialogue seeming out of period, including Robert Pattinson’s character Antinous using the word "daddy." That has sparked debate about how language evolves over time and whether period-accurate dialogue matters in a film.

In an interview with Time, Nolan defended his choice of armor in the film, saying his vision is "plausible" and carefully considered. He hopes audiences will appreciate the movie despite any disagreements.

Cast and expected success

The film features an impressive ensemble cast, including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Jon Bernthal, Benny Safdie, and Charlize Theron. With strong box office competition from films like Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day and Spider-Man: Brand New Day, The Odyssey is expected to be one of the summer’s biggest releases.

The film is set to release on July 17, 2026, and is expected to draw huge audiences, with fans eagerly awaiting this new addition to Nolan’s impressive body of work.