Even with its global theatrical release still a month away, Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated sci-fi epic The Odyssey has triggered an unprecedented box-office stampede in the United Kingdom, obliterating all previous pre-sale records.

The British Film Institute (BFI) IMAX in central London—the UK’s largest cinema screen—confirmed on Wednesday that it sold a staggering 28,000 tickets within the first 24 hours of going live. The opening-day haul raked in £750,000 ($1 million) in gross ticket sales, a historic high for a single venue.

The frenzy has forced the iconic London venue to plan a grueling, round-the-clock screening schedule for its opening weekend. Four prime weekend slots had already sold out a full year in advance, including a highly anticipated special midnight screening that will kick off the non-stop weekend marathons.

Doubling 'Dune' and Quadrupling 'Oppenheimer'

The scale of The Odyssey's box office momentum has caught industry analysts by surprise, leaving previous blockbusters far behind in its wake.

Trade data reveals that the film’s first-day takings at the BFI IMAX more than doubled the previous record set by Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two, which collected £366,000 ($490,000) during its first 24 hours on sale.

More remarkably, it nearly quadrupled the initial numbers of Nolan’s own Oscar-winning 2023 biographical drama, Oppenheimer, which brought in £254,000 ($340,000) in the same timeframe.

This British box-office surge mirrors the chaotic ticket rollout witnessed across the Atlantic last year. When Premium Large Format (PLF) tickets debuted in the United States in 2025—also an unprecedented full year ahead of schedule—major ticketing platforms crashed under the sheer volume of traffic, leaving fans stuck in digital queues for over an hour.

The US pre-sales generated a massive $3.4 million from 150,000 tickets within a single day. The scarcity has since fueled a rampant black market, with desperate moviegoers spotting scalper listings on eBay fetching as much as $1,500 per ticket for opening-week IMAX screenings.

A Historic Technical First

Beyond the director's massive cult following, The Odyssey is drawing intense interest from cinephiles due to its technical specifications. Industry insiders confirm it is the first feature film in cinematic history to be shot entirely on IMAX 70mm cameras, rather than just selecting specific sequences for the expanded format.

Universal Pictures has backed the project with a lavish ensemble cast, locking in top-tier Hollywood talent including Matt Damon, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, and Charlize Theron.

With the global release locked for July 17, exhibitors are bracing for an extended summer run that could reshape the post-pandemic premium format box office landscape.

The controversial post, widely circulated on social media platforms over the past 24 hours, claimed to quote Ranveer Singh responding sharply to those who “degraded” him ahead of the film’s release but later supported him after its success. The post suggested that the actor equated “real victory” with public validation rather than box office numbers and directly referenced the Kantara mimicry episode.

However, multiple reports and checks of Ranveer Singh’s verified social media handles have confirmed that the actor did not share any such message. The viral image originated from a fake account closely resembling his official handle, misleading several users into believing it was authentic.

According to sources close to the actor, the only post Ranveer shared after Dhurandhar’s release was a brief, cryptic note that read: “Fate has a very beautiful habit; it changes with time… but for now… focus and patience.” There was no mention of trolls, controversy, or the Kantara incident in his official communication.

The fake post resurfaced amid lingering backlash over an incident at the closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025. During a stage segment, Ranveer mimicked a scene inspired by Rishab Shetty’s Kantara: A Legend Chapter 1. In the act, he reportedly referred to the deity figure as a “female ghost,” triggering outrage online. Critics accused the actor of hurting religious sentiments, while calls for a boycott of Dhurandhar gained traction on social media.

Facing mounting criticism, Ranveer issued a public apology soon after, stating that his intention was solely to acknowledge Rishab Shetty’s performance and not to offend religious beliefs. “If my words hurt anyone, I sincerely apologise,” he said in his clarification. An FIR was later registered against the actor in Bengaluru in connection with the episode, adding a legal dimension to the controversy.

Despite the backlash, Dhurandhar, which released on December 5, has delivered a record-breaking theatrical run. The spy-action thriller, directed by [director’s name], stars Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt and Arjun Rampal alongside Ranveer Singh. The film has crossed the ₹1,000 crore mark worldwide, becoming the ninth Indian film to enter the coveted ₹1,000 crore club.

Trade analysts say the film’s performance reflects strong audience turnout across domestic and overseas markets, particularly in the action and espionage genre. Industry observers also note that the viral fake post may have gained traction due to the timing of the controversy and the film’s unprecedented commercial success.

Meanwhile, fans and digital safety experts have urged social media users to verify sources before sharing content, warning that impersonation accounts continue to exploit high-profile controversies for attention and engagement.