Nolan’s ‘Odyssey’ retakes global No. 1 from ‘Spider-Man’ in week 8

Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey reclaimed the top spot at the global weekend box office in its eighth week of release, narrowly edging out Spider-Man: Brand New Day to recapture a crown it last held before the Marvel blockbuster opened on July 31.

The Odyssey earned $45.96 million worldwide over the weekend, compared with $44.1 million for Brand New Day in its sixth frame, according to Deadline. Domestically, Spider-Man remained No. 1 for a sixth consecutive weekend with $18 million, but The Odyssey's stronger international performance — $32.9 million from 84 territories — gave it the global edge.deadline

Two Films, One Historic Summer

The dual dominance of these two films, both starring Tom Holland and Zendaya, has defined the summer of 2026. The Odyssey's cumulative global total now stands at $1.627 billion, making it the most commercially successful film of Nolan's career and placing it 14th on the all-time worldwide chart. The film is closing in on Jurassic World's $1.67 billion to become Universal Comcast Corporation ↘ 0.88% Pictures' highest-grossing release ever.ew+1

Brand New Day, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, has reached $2.4 billion worldwide, cementing its position as the third-highest-grossing film of all time behind Avatar and Avengers: Endgame. With $917.8 million domestically through Sunday, the Sony release sits less than $19 million from overtaking Star Wars: The Force Awakens as the highest-grossing film ever at the North American box office.deadline+2

The Odyssey's weekend was bolstered by the launch of Japan previews on 62 IMAX screens, which generated $755,000 ahead of a wide release on Sept. 11. IMAX screenings have now driven $486 million in global ticket sales for the film, making it the large-format exhibitor's highest-grossing release of all time.deadline

A Banner Summer for Hollywood

Together, the two blockbusters have powered Hollywood's strongest summer since before the pandemic. Through Aug. 31, the domestic summer box office totaled $4.6 billion, a 26.1% increase over 2025, according to Rentrak data reported by the Associated Press. By Thursday, the summer total had reached $4.643 billion, placing it just short of 2013's record of $4.756 billion. Global ticket sales are up 15% year over year, with five films crossing the billion-dollar mark, according to Bloomberg.bloomberg+2

Behind the two frontrunners, Coyote vs. Acme held strong in third place domestically with $11.3 million in its second weekend, while By Any Means, starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Mark Wahlberg, debuted in fourth with $7.4 million.mynewsla+1

The two-month stranglehold that The Odyssey and Brand New Day have maintained on the box office could face its first real challenge on Sept. 10, when Practical Magic 2, starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, arrives in theaters.ew