Christopher Nolan has already proven himself to be one of the most exciting and beloved directors working today, but the release of next year’sThe Odysseyhas a real chance at giving him a truly legendary status.The Odyssey’s fantasy elementswill make the film feel different from anything in Nolan’s directorial history and promise to be an unusual challenge for the seasoned filmmaker. Drawing from history and myths in equal measure, the new movie already looks like it could be one of 2025’s biggest titles.
Following Nolan’s success with original films likeInceptionand thenon-linearInterstellar, which made a worldwide total of $828 million and $758 million, respectively, the filmmaker’s box office appeal seemed to be dependable. However, it is still shocking that the box office for the biopic dramaOppenheimerwas as strong as it was,grossing $952 million and becoming the third highest-grossing film of 2023.WithThe Odysseyhaving the potential for incredible spectacle, and with proven interest in Nolan’s work from audiences, the new film could help the director reach a new height.
Christopher Nolan Could Become A Top 3 Highest-Grossing Director In 2026
The Odyssey’s Box Office Could Propel Him Several Spots
Christopher Nolan is currently the eighth highest-grossing director in Hollywood history, earning a total of $6.03 billion across his 14 films (viaThe Numbers).This results in an incredible average of $430.6 million per film. Nolan sits just above themovies of Ridley Scotton the list, who has made $5.04 billion across a much larger number of films, and just below David Yates, best-known from theHarry Potterfranchise, whose total sits at $6.33 billion. With filmmakers like Yates and Peter Jackson not currently slated to direct any major projects, it seems almost certain that Nolan will overtake their spots soon.
1
$10,704,875,489
37
$289,320,959
2
$8,705,262,273
14
$621,804,448
3
$6,763,018,339
9
$751,446,482
4
10
$676,301,834
5
$6,553,022,508
15
$436,868,167
6
$6,495,849,210
18
$360,880,512
7
$6,334,672,360
$633,467,236
8
$6,028,039,634
$430,574,260
$5,043,474,488
32
$157,608,578
$4,877,659,311
20
$243,882,966
In fact, with the schedule as it is, there is a high likelihood that Nolan could take the number 3 spot on this list after the theatrical run ofThe Odyssey. In orderto take the number 3 spot,The Odysseywould need to make nearly $735 millionworldwide. While a performance at Nolan’s average rate would only bring the director up to number 7,The Odyssey’s box office chanceslook much better than that. Interest in the historical epic is very high, especially after the director’s Academy Award-winningOppenheimer.
It is hard to imagine an upcoming film that has as much cache behind it asThe Odyssey. Nolan makes thoughtful, heady films that resonate with critics, but is also astute with action set pieces, which should be seen in the upcoming film.The Odysseyboasts an incredible castof some of the biggest stars in Hollywood and adapts an important piece of classic literature. Simultaneously having the potential of an awards darling and a blockbuster adventure, and coming from perhaps the most beloved director today,it is hard to imagineThe Odysseynot making at least $735 million.
Could Christopher Nolan Ever Top This Ranking?
He Won’t Even Be In Third Place For Long…
Notably, numbers 3 through 8 on the current list are all within the $6 billion range, meaning that there is tremendous room for shakeups in this order in the coming years.There are many directors on this list who will not be releasing enormous films anytime soon,including Jackson, who seems to have moved into producing films, such as a2027Lord of the Ringsproject, and directing documentary series. Similarly, Yates has moved away from theHarry Potterfranchise and does not appear to have any films slated for release in the next year.
With the lucrativeness of franchise filmmaking, however, even if Nolan makes it to number 3 on the list, he will not hold that spot for long. Joe and Anthony Russo have found great success in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and their next feature, therecently delayedAvengers: Doomsday, is certain to elevate their status. Even with some interest in the Marvel brand having waned,Doomsdayseems like the closest thing the series has to a sure thing. Even if it is a failure,it will perform well enough to get the Russos back to their spots at numbers 3 and 4.
Avengers: Doomsdaywas previously set to release in May 2026, beforeThe Odyssey, but has since been moved to December. If the previous schedule had remained set, it is unlikely that Nolan would be able to rise any higher than number 5 next year.
In addition to this,every James Cameron moviethat has been released since 1997 has made over $2 billion.While the director is not as prolific as Nolan, he is hard at work on severalAvatarsequels, as well as a few other new movies. Cameron actually has a good shot at taking the number 1 slot on this list at some point, although his time-consuming work and the enormous gaps between most of his movies may keep the director from achieving this.
2006
$109.7 million
2002
$113.7 million
2020
$365.2 million
2005
$373.7 million
2017
$527 million
2014
$701.7 million
2010
$839 million
2023
$953.8 million
2008
$1.006 billion
2012
$1.085 billion
Steven Spielberg is currently at the top of this list, but the director’s box office has slipped in recent years, with excellent films likeWest Side StoryandThe Fabelmansunderperforming. It is certainly possible that Nolan could someday overtake Spielberg on the list, although far from guaranteed.Spielberg still holds a handy lead, having made more than $10 billion, and he still continues to work.His next film looks to harken back to his earlier success with sci-fi films about UFOs, and could be a commercial comeback for the filmmaker.
Nolan’s box office success is already legendary, and the director is likely to rise even higher whenThe Odysseyis released next year.Even the floor for the film’s prospective box office suggests that he will move up at least a couple of spaceson this list when it is finished its theatrical run. While it is not clear if Nolan will ever be able to rise to the top of this list, he is certainly one of the most notable, lucrative, and important filmmakers of this era, and that status will be further solidified withThe Odyssey.
