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Christopher Nolan’s L’Odyssée Posts Exceptionally Strong French Opening

Strong opening sales could determine whether Universal's flagship gamble pays off.

Overview

  • The film drew 232,972 admissions across France on its first day and attracted 14,188 spectators at a single early Paris screening, a turnout reported by French box-office data.
  • That first-day total ranks among the best openings in France for 2026 and surpassed Nolan’s previous opener, which had 159,674 admissions on its launch day.
  • L’Odyssée’s near three-hour running time limits daily screenings, so its reported average of roughly 307 viewers per copy signals high demand per screening.
  • Pre-release social-media controversy over the trailer led to restricted press access and shaped how the film was promoted and discussed during publicity events.
  • Industry sources say Universal is treating the film as a flagship release, increasing pressure for a strong return on investment and fueling analyst optimism that the movie could ultimately reach around five million French admissions.