The first trailer for Christopher Nolan’s much-awaited epic The Odyssey is finally here, and it has instantly set the internet buzzing. Starring Matt Damon as the legendary Greek hero Odysseus, the film brings to life one of the most iconic tales in world literature, following a war-weary warrior’s perilous journey home after the Trojan War. Though the trailer runs for just two minutes, it offers a powerful, atmospheric glimpse into a story driven by survival, sacrifice, and resilience.
Staying true to Nolan’s trademark storytelling style, the trailer relies more on mood than exposition. Dialogue is sparse, while sweeping visuals and an ominous soundscape take centre stage. Fleeting shots of stormy seas, unfamiliar landscapes, and shadowy figures hint at the countless dangers Odysseus and his men must face. Having already endured unimaginable horrors during the war, their journey back home proves to be an even greater test—one filled with strange lands, unknown terrors, and forces far beyond human understanding.
The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast. Anne Hathaway plays Penelope, Odysseus’ devoted wife who waits faithfully for his return, while Tom Holland appears as Telemachus, their son, whose own emotional journey unfolds alongside his father’s. Zendaya and Robert Pattinson also star in the film in undisclosed roles, adding to the intrigue and fan speculation surrounding Nolan’s interpretation of the epic.
Reactions to the trailer have been overwhelmingly positive. Fans flooded social media platforms and YouTube comment sections with excitement, praise, and humour. One viewer joked about being “kicked out of the theatre for arriving too early,” while another declared Nolan “one of the most influential directors of our generation.” Many have already labelled The Odyssey a must-watch cinematic experience designed for the big screen.
This film marks Nolan’s first project since Oppenheimer, which earned him the Academy Award for Best Director and became both a critical and box-office success. That achievement has only heightened expectations for his ambitious mythological venture.
Based on Homer’s timeless poem, The Odyssey chronicles Odysseus’ long and treacherous voyage home, a journey marked by monsters, temptation, divine interference, and relentless tests of wit and endurance. While Nolan’s version is the latest adaptation, the story has previously been reimagined in the 1954 film Ulysses, starring Kirk Douglas, and loosely inspired the Coen Brothers’ O Brother, Where Art Thou? in 2000.
Scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release by Universal on July 17, 2026, The Odyssey is already seeing early ticket sales sell out—clear proof that audiences are eagerly awaiting Nolan’s epic return to the big screen.