AMC Entertainment announced on Monday that the epic action film 'The Odyssey,' produced by Universal Pictures, attracted over 4.3 million moviegoers across its global AMC theaters last weekend. This achievement marks the best opening weekend for an R-rated film at the company's U.S. theaters since 2024.
In a press release, AMC Entertainment stated that the weekend box office revenue for 'The Odyssey' at its North American locations accounted for approximately one-quarter of the film's total North American ticket sales. The company's CEO highlighted in a statement that the film's success demonstrates the robust market demand for big-budget R-rated productions and reflects the ongoing trend of audiences returning to cinemas.
Directed by a renowned filmmaker and adapted from Homer's epic poem, the film had a production budget exceeding $250 million. Its global box office for the opening weekend is projected to surpass $300 million, with the North American market contributing approximately $120 million. As the largest cinema chain operator in North America, AMC Entertainment supported the film's release with over 4,000 screens, including multiple IMAX and Dolby Cinema venues.
AMC Entertainment continues to advance its narrative of box office recovery. Since 2026, the company's share price has remained at low levels, having declined approximately 90% from its historical peak during the 2021 retail investor rally. The company has previously raised funds through multiple stock offerings to finance theater upgrades and debt repayment, though its significant debt burden remains a long-term challenge.
The company indicated that several highly anticipated major releases are scheduled for the remainder of the 2026 summer season, which are expected to drive continued box office growth in the third quarter.