🔗 Share this article Watch Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey Preview the Way It Wasn't Meant for Viewing. The acclaimed filmmaker's legendary action saga, The Odyssey, stands as a movie we've been eagerly awaiting ever since it was revealed. It firmly sits among the most hotly anticipated films of 2026. In a festive surprise, a preview has now been released, even if it's compromised due to the platform's low-quality encoding—maybe illustrating why Nolan initially kept the preview exclusive to cinemas. The Initial Look of the Stellar Ensemble The debut footage showcases Matt Damon in the role of Odysseus. Audiences are introduced to Tom Holland playing the son and Anne Hathaway as Penelope. During an emotional scene, Penelope asks Odysseus to promise he will return, only for him to look up and question what happens if he cannot. The trailer also offers a quick, obscured look of the mythical one-eyed giant, from whom sheep are Odysseus and his crew steal during their arduous journey. Based upon a cornerstone in classic storytelling, The Odyssey follows the lengthy quest of the legendary King of Ithaca. Following his victory at Troy, which is depicted within the companion epic, the king faces an extended and hazardous return to his homeland. Legendary Obstacles with an All-Star Cast On his travels, the hero encounters numerous obstacles and legendary creatures. This roster features the enchantress Circe, who transforms men into swine, and the deceptive Sirens. Regardless of these ordeals, his sworn oath is to overcome anything to get back to Penelope and Telemachus on his home island. This film's ensemble is remarkably star-studded. Joining Damon, Holland, and Hathaway are Charlize Theron as the cunning Circe, alongside Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, Elliot Page, and Jon Bernthal. A Tale of Many Adaptations Homer's epic has inspired numerous adaptations throughout history. Examples include contemporary versions to a 1999 ballet. It has even been a stage musical adaptation titled Epic: The Musical, released in the form of a nine-album collection. A full-length preview was long awaited following the project's reveal and a brief teaser that previously played exclusively in theaters. That teaser later made its way onto the internet soon after. For a superior viewing experience, the preview available via the movie's verified account might deliver a better, clearer look. The Odyssey will debut in IMAX theaters worldwide on July 17, 2026.