Ryan Reynolds Celebrates Christopher Nolan After ‘The Odyssey’ Tops ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ at Box Office

Box office records often shift rapidly, especially during a summer filled with blockbuster releases. This year, 2026 has seen a mix of record-breaking sequels, unexpected hits, and one ambitious sword-and-sandal epic that has changed the game.

One of the most talked-about changes involves Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey.’ This nearly three-hour adaptation of Homer’s classic poem has consistently exceeded expectations for an R-rated film that isn’t part of an established franchise.

Universal has confirmed that ‘The Odyssey’ has officially set a new all-time record, grossing $1.352 billion globally, surpassing the previous record of $1.338 billion held by ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ from 2024, making it the highest-grossing R-rated film ever.

This milestone also marks ‘The Odyssey’ as Nolan’s biggest film to date, surpassing 2012’s ‘The Dark Knight Rises,’ which earned $1.08 billion. The film has significantly benefited from IMAX support, generating $354 million in IMAX revenue alone, and has now outperformed ‘Avatar’ as the highest-grossing film in that format.

Staying true to his character, Ryan Reynolds didn’t let this record change go unnoticed. Instead of lamenting the loss of the crown held by his own Marvel blockbuster, Reynolds took the opportunity to commend Nolan’s achievement with his signature blend of sincerity and humor.

At the ‘Mayday’ premiere on Tuesday night, Reynolds praised Nolan, calling ‘The Odyssey’ an extraordinary film and referring to Nolan as someone who “literally breathes the rarest air on Earth,” as reported by Variety. He also highlighted the film’s ensemble cast, including Matt Damon and Tom Holland, expressing excitement about audiences returning to theaters.

Reynolds echoed sentiments he shared on social media weeks prior, congratulating the cast and crew of ‘The Odyssey’ for achieving the record. He humorously referenced a memorable car moment in the film, nodding to the Honda Odyssey featured prominently in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine.’ The playful banter between these two box office giants has become part of the narrative, with Reynolds even sharing a clip that creatively combined footage from both films.

The significance of ‘The Odyssey’s’ achievement lies in what it represents. Unlike the superhero ensemble it has dethroned, Nolan’s film does not carry any sequel numbering, established franchise ties, or a built-in fanbase beyond the director’s reputation and the timeless allure of Homer’s work.

The film’s star-studded cast, featuring Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, and Jon Bernthal alongside Damon, contributed to its impressive run, pushing ‘The Odyssey’ past the $1 billion mark by early August. It became only the third R-rated film to achieve this milestone, joining ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ and ‘Joker.’ While ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ retains several records, including the largest global and domestic opening weekends for an R-rated film, it has now been surpassed in overall earnings.

As the 2026 summer box office continues to outpace last year’s figures, ‘The Odyssey’s’ record adds to the narrative of theatrical moviegoing making a significant comeback. Whether this momentum will carry into the fall remains to be seen, but for now, Nolan and his epic have rightfully claimed their place at the top.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!