Nolan's 'The Odyssey' Tops 'Deadpool & Wolverine' as Highest-Grossing R-Rated Film
Universal confirmed that Christopher Nolan's historical epic 'The Odyssey' has earned $1.34 billion worldwide, surpassing Marvel's 'Deadpool & Wolverine' to become the top-grossing R-rated movie.
Universal Pictures announced that Christopher Nolan's historical epic The Odyssey has reached $1.34 billion in global box-office receipts, overtaking Marvel’s Deadpool & Wolverine and setting a new record for R-rated releases. The milestone marks the first time an original, non-franchise literary adaptation has led the adult-rated market.
The film’s success was driven largely by international audiences, which contributed 62 % of its total earnings, compared with 47.6 % for Deadpool & Wolverine in North America. The Odyssey also posted an all-time IMAX record of $289.3 million, surpassing the previous high set by Avatar.
Analysts noted the contrast in production spending: Disney reportedly invested $533.7 million in production and marketing for Deadpool & Wolverine, while Universal’s budget for The Odyssey was $250 million. Media analyst Paul Dergarabedian said Nolan’s name “remains a guarantee for box-office success.”
The achievement places The Odyssey above Nolan’s earlier hits, including The Dark Knight Rises ($1.085 billion) and Oppenheimer ($975 million). Actor Ryan Reynolds acknowledged the shift with a humorous social-media post that combined footage from both films, garnering significant online attention.
Industry observers suggest the result could influence studios’ green-light decisions, highlighting the profitability of adult-oriented, director-driven projects alongside traditional PG-13 franchises.