Although we’ve been talking about it for months, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey is still yet to actually land in cinemas. And with a cast that includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson and Charlize Theron, you don’t have to be a cinephile to know that the director’s take on Homer’s ancient Greek epic is going to be one of the biggest film releases of 2026.
If you’re looking to fill the void until then, there’s no shortage of films that will do the trick. From sweeping historical epics to stories rooted in Greek mythology, these are the films worth adding to your watch list before The Odyssey arrives.
Troy (2004)
It’s impossible to talk about The Odyssey without starting with Troy. While Wolfgang Petersen’s film adapts Homer’s The Iliad rather than The Odyssey, the two stories are intrinsically linked. The Trojan War is what sends Odysseus on his long voyage home, making Troy the perfect precursor.
Gladiator (2000)
If what excites you most about Nolan’s adaptation is the promise of large-scale historical filmmaking, revisit Ridley Scott’s Oscar-winning epic. While Gladiator swaps Greek mythology for Ancient Rome, it shares the same core story of a man desperately trying to return to the life that was stolen from him. There’s also the 2024 sequel, if Paul Mescal is more your vibe.
Ben-Hur (1959)
Few films rival Ben-Hur when it comes to historical epics. William Wyler’s 11-time Oscar winner follows Judah Ben-Hur’s decades-long search for justice against the backdrop of the Roman Empire. From the iconic chariot race to its enormous practical sets (a particular feat, given this was made nearly 70 years ago), it’s a reminder of just how immersive historical filmmaking can be.
Kingdom of Heaven (2005)
Another Ridley Scott epic, Kingdom of Heaven follows a reluctant knight navigating the Crusades, balancing spectacular battle scenes with themes of faith and power. If you watch it, make it the Director’s Cut, which is the film’s most widely-praised edition.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Across three films, Frodo and the Fellowship embark on a perilous quest filled with mythical creatures, ancient prophecies and impossible choices. While Tolkien’s world is distinct from Greek mythology, like The Odyssey, the trilogy is ultimately about resilience and what it takes to make it back.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Before perilous sea voyages return to the big screen in The Odyssey, revisit one of cinema’s greatest nautical adventures that still holds up more than two decades later. In case you need a refresher, The Curse of the Black Pearl follows Will Turner and Captain Jack Sparrow as they race to rescue Elizabeth Swann, encountering cursed pirates and supernatural forces along the way. It’s more playful than Homer’s epic, but just as adventurous.
The Return (2024)
If you’re interested in seeing Odysseus on screen before Nolan’s adaptation arrives, The Return offers a more intimate interpretation of Homer’s epic. Starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche, the film focuses on Odysseus’ long-awaited reunion with Penelope after returning to Ithaca. Rather than spectacle, it’s more about the emotional aftermath of war and homecoming.
Planning on seeing The Odyssey in cinemas? Here are the IMAX cinemas screening it across Australia, so you can watch exactly as Christopher Nolan intended.
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