This weekend, cinemas all over the world have made way for Christopher Nolan and The Odyssey. Wisely, other studios chose to take this weekend off, knowing what a behemoth this film would be, as Nolan and his epic drama remind us why the theatrical experience is still very much important.
What’s Opening In Theaters?
Most of us have watched Nolan’s The Odyssey come together from the moment it was announced to every cast reveal, no matter how large or small. For many, the fact that it’s finally here probably feels like a dream. Nolan wrote and directed this take on Homer’s ancient Greek epic, The Odyssey, with the film chronicling Odysseus’ (Matt Damon) years-long journey home after the Trojan War, which also includes encounters with mythical creatures as his wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), has to fend off suitors who wish to take his place as the king of Ithaca. The film also stars Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, and many more.
Hype for The Odyssey began when the film was first announced, and it has only grown as its release date approached, no matter how many trolls and naysayers tried to derail its momentum over casting choices and qualms over “historical accuracy”. Nolan is one of the few directors who can command an audience on his name alone, and he’s going to prove that once again with The Odyssey. Proof of Nolan’s pull? Tickets for select opening weekend IMAX 70 mm screenings were made available on July 17, 2025, one year before the film’s release, and the first sold out within 12 hours. With a 96 percent on Rotten Tomatoes with 265 reviews counted and a 97 percent audience score, this near universal praise makes The Odyssey the must-see release this weekend.
What To Watch At Home
Should you not be enticed to head to your local movie theater to experience Odysseus’ long and perilous journey home, three offerings can be viewed from the comfort of your couch that might be right up your alley. Offerings include a journey into a different world via a furniture store, a RuPaul comedy destined to become a cult classic, and a Nate Bargatze romp about a father holding down the fort while his wife is gone.
Hitting digital as its historic box office run wraps up is Backrooms, a film that helped define this summer as a time for original horror films to find success, directed by young, up-and-coming directors. Directed by Kane Parsons in his feature-length directorial debut and from a screenplay by Will Soodik, Backrooms is based on Parsons’ web series and was inspired by the “Backrooms” creepypasta. The film follows Clark (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a furniture store owner, and his therapist, Mary (Renate Reinsve), who get lost in a labyrinth of seemingly endless liminal spaces that are accessed in Clark’s furniture shop. The film also stars Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, and Lukita Maxwell.
Backrooms quickly became A24’s biggest film and broke a few records for the indie studio. The film opened to $81.5 million, easily A24’s biggest opening weekend, and it has grossed $194.1 million domestically and $374.8 million worldwide on a $10 million budget, making it A24’s highest-grossing film. The great thing about Backrooms hitting digital is that for anyone reluctant to sample this film in theaters, they’ll likely give it a shot now, which will only add to the cult status it’s destined to achieve at home as more people will be enthralled by the mythology and lore of the story. Fans already made the film a hit in theaters, and now it’s time for its life to carry on beyond that.
Also hitting digital after a short theatrical run this summer is Stop! That! Train!, an action comedy disaster film from the producers of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Directed by Adam Shankman and from a screenplay by Christina Friel and Connor Wright, Stop! That! Train! follows two stewardesses who work to stop an impending disaster on a train in the middle of a storm. The film features a stacked ensemble, including drag performers Ginger Minj and Jujubee.
Stop! That! Train! garnered early attention this summer with a pretty funny trailer that proved that the film wasn’t taking itself too seriously. It’s also a film littered with appearances from familiar celebrity faces such as Sarah Michelle Gellar, Joel McHale, Rachel Bloom, Jerry O’Connell, Lisa Rinna, Raven-Symoné, and many more. The movie comes from the producers of RuPaul’s Drag Race, which remains a popular reality competition staple, so it brought out some of the show’s fanbase during a box office run that stalled at $4 million on a $12.8 million budget, but this always felt like a film destined for cult status and not big box office dollars. Reviews are solid at 84 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with a decent 79 audience score, so those who gave it a shot found something to enjoy. This was a smaller release from Bleecker Street, but it should certainly find more of an audience now that it can be watched at home.
Movie watchers get more comedy with The Breadwinner, a film starring stand-up comedian Nate Bargatze. Directed by Eric Appel and from a screenplay that Bargatze also wrote, The Breadwinner follows a father of three portrayed by Bargatze who has to keep things running at home while his wife is away on a business trip. The film also stars Mandy Moore, Colin Jost, Zach Cherry, Martin Herlihy, Kumail Nanjiani, and Will Forte.
The Breadwinner was released earlier this summer and did ok business, grossing $20 million, although its $25 million budget means it didn’t turn a profit during its theatrical run. Given the fact that the TriStar Pictures release didn’t receive massive promotion and likely performed as well as it did based on Bargatze’s name alone, it shows that it could generate more interest now that it’s available at home. It feels like a movie built for a Netflix night. The Breadwinner didn’t wow critics with a 20 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, but the audience score was kinder at 86 percent, so this light comedy about a dad trying not to let things get out of hand while his wife is away has struck a chord with those who can relate.
Check back next week when we keep you in the know about What To Watch!
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