Christopher Nolan has officially dropped the first trailer for his highly anticipated next film, The Odyssey, and audiences are buzzing. The trailer — released by Universal Pictures on December 22, 2025 — gives fans their first real glimpse of Nolan’s ambitious adaptation of Homer’s ancient Greek epic, months ahead of its summer 2026 release.
Trailer Brings Homer’s Classic to Life
The new trailer begins with sweeping visuals of war and sea — and immediately sets the tone for a heroic, perilous journey. It follows Odysseus, the legendary king of Ithaca, as he struggles to return home after the Trojan War, facing storms, mythical threats, and the emotional weight of a decade away from his family.
The footage shows Matt Damon portraying a rugged, determined Odysseus, leading his men against overwhelming odds and enduring brutal natural and supernatural trials. Glimpses of iconic moments like the Trojan Horse and sea battles tease the grand scale of the narrative.
(Source: People.com)
Star-Studded Cast on a Mythic Quest
Just like the epic itself, the cast is legendary:
- Matt Damon as Odysseus
- Anne Hathaway as his loyal wife Penelope
- Tom Holland as Telemachus, his son
- Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Charlize Theron and others in pivotal roles
This ensemble promises a blend of emotional depth and dramatic intensity befitting the source material. (Source: People.com)
Nolan’s Vision: Epic Scale, IMAX Impact
Nolan’s The Odyssey isn’t just another adaptation — it’s being pitched as a cinematic event. The film was shot entirely on IMAX 70mm cameras with cutting-edge large-format film technology, an ambitious approach that aims to give audiences a fully immersive experience in theatres.
The trailer reflects that scale: massive oceanic vistas, intense battle sequences and a visceral sense of danger and wonder. The visual language is unmistakably Nolan — grand, tactile and emotionally potent. (Source: People.com)
What the Trailer Tells Us
While short, the clip makes it clear that this isn’t a pure fantasy romp. It’s a mythic action drama with psychological weight — a human at the center of forces much larger than himself. Telemachus’s voiceover, reflecting on the many rumors about his father’s fate, underscores the emotional stakes: Odysseus’s mystery and myth are as central to the story as the battles and gods he faces.
The trailer also features glimpses of conflicts with mythical figures — from the cyclops Polyphemus to the seductive Sirens — signaling that Nolan plans to blend spectacle with storytelling depth.
(Source: News.com.au)
Release and Expectations
The Odyssey is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on July 17, 2026 — with some regions, like Australia, getting it a day earlier on July 16. Tickets for IMAX screenings have already begun selling rapidly, with some early showings selling out well ahead of schedule — a sign of strong early enthusiasm.
This film marks Nolan’s first major project since his Oscar-winning Oppenheimer and continues his trend of ambitious, large-canvas filmmaking.
(Source: People.com)
Final Take: A Legendary Journey Begins Anew
The official The Odyssey trailer delivers on both epic scope and emotional resonance. It promises a cinematic retelling of one of the oldest and greatest stories in human history — not just as a spectacle, but as a deeply human tale of endurance, family and identity.
Whether you’re a fan of Nolan’s meticulous filmmaking or just love mythic cinema, this trailer makes one thing clear: The Odyssey is shaping up to be one of the most watched and discussed films of summer 2026.
