Surprising no one, Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of Homer’s epic poem is a box office juggernaut that will help 2026 be one of the best years at the box office numbers since before the pandemic. 

Starring Matt Damon as Odysseus, the film began shooting the year after Nolan’s Oppenheimer took home a boatload of awards, including our CCA honors for Best Acting Ensemble, Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Editing, Best Visual Effects, and Best Score. 

More than two decades ago, Nolan’s appetite for Homeric epics was whetted when he was attached to making Troy in 2004. Although that opportunity fell through, he eventually returned to the ancient Greek world after the success of Oppenheimer.  “Coming out of Oppenheimer, which was a film that had far more success than we’d ever imagined, it leaves you with an opportunity,” he told The Independent. 

That opportunity was to finally tell the story of Odysseus his way. He also seized the chance to blaze a trail visually, giving the film the distinction of being the first feature shot entirely with IMAX cameras. To do so, he worked with film presentation pioneer David Keighley to develop cameras that were significantly smaller and quieter in order to improve general versatility as well as make them less intrusive to the actors on set. 

Our Critics Choice Seal is certain to join numerous other accolades between now and awards season.