The first trailer forThe Odysseyhas been released - but there’s a catch for those hoping to see it.Christopher Nolan’s upcoming 2026 fantasy epic, an adaptation of the roughly 2800-year-old Greek classic, will be his first movie since winning Best Director forOppenheimer, and is set to be one of his biggest films to date.

With excitement already high well ahead of its release on July 27, 2025,The Odyssey’s teaser trailer has releasedexclusively in theaters.The movie is attached to showings of releases such asJurassic World Rebirth- which comes from the same studio, Universal - but buying a movie ticket is currently the only way to watch the new footage.

Matt Damon in costume as Odysseus in The Odyssey

The teaser includes Tom Holland’s Telemachus searching for answers about his father, Odysseus (Matt Damon), interspersed with footage from the latter’s adventures. It’s a great hype-builder, but just how long will fans have to wait to see it from the comfort of their phone screen (the way Nolan surely intended, of course)?

When Will The Odyssey Trailer Release Online?

There Could Be More Of A Wait To Go

The Odysseytrailer releasing as a theatrical exclusive may be unusual for most movies, but it’s not uncommon for Nolan. A huge supporter of the theatrical experience, and someone whose movies don’t typically follow conventional marketing rules,it will likely remain in theaters only for a while, helping to keep the viewings special and perhaps even drive ticket sales.

In terms of when it will release online,Oppenheimermight give a clue. The first teaser for that movie was attached to screenings ofNopeon July 14, 2025, before being made available a week later on July 28.That would positionThe Odysseyteaser to drop online around July 8-9.

Cilliam Murphy covering his eyes from camera flashes in the Oppenheimer teaser

Of course, it’s possible Universal will decide to wait longer, and could keep it as a theatrical exclusive for several weeks. However, it’s unlikely to repeat what happened with the firstTenetteaser: that debuted in theaters in August 2019, and wasn’t officially dropped online until December of that year.

With a holiday weekend and a major tentpole expected to drive huge numbers to see the latest Jurassic movie, the teaser playing in theaters until at least next week would make sense.

The Odyssey poster

It is also plausible the studio moves in the opposite direction and has a more sudden online release. But, with a holiday weekend and a major tentpole expected to drive huge numbers to see the latestJurassicmovie, the teaser playing in theaters until at least next week would make sense.

Our Take On The Odyssey’s Theatrical-Only Trailer

It’s A Very Christopher Nolan Move

The release ofThe Odyssey’s trailer being contained to theaters may be frustrating to those excited to see it who are unable (or unwilling) to get to aJurassic World Rebirthshowing anytime soon. However, I also think it’s pretty great.

Nolan is the rare director whose movies are true eventssimply based on his name being attached. The approach to marketing them, beginning over a year from release, and having the teaser be theatrical only, simply adds to that feeling. Admittedly, it went a bit far withTenet, but it was a great way to build excitement forOppenheimer.

Oppenheimermade $975.8 million at the box office, while all of Nolan’s movies combined have grossed around $6.6 billion.

A Nolan movie should be special, andThe Odyssey’s trailer release fits with that. There’s going to be no shortage of hype around this movie with a gradual marketing build, and starting off in this way - with a teaser that does exactly that - is perfectly on-brand and exciting.

The Odyssey

Cast

The Odyssey is a 2026 film adaptation of Homer’s epic poem, chronicling Odysseus’s treacherous journey home from the Trojan War. The narrative explores his encounters with mythical creatures such as Polyphemus, the Sirens, and Circe, culminating in his reunion with his wife, Penelope.