Charlize Theron believes the remarkable response to Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has offered Hollywood an important reminder: audiences still want to experience major films on the big screen.
Theron, who stars as Calypso in Nolan’s epic adaptation of Homer’s ancient poem, reflected on the film’s theatrical performance while attending the annual Block Party benefiting her Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project. The actress said the audience response has been particularly encouraging at a time when the movie business continues to navigate uncertainty surrounding theatrical releases and the growing influence of streaming.
“It’s so rewarding to see that people do want to go to the theatres,” Theron said, describing the film’s reception as evidence that the appetite for cinema remains strong.
The Odyssey has become a major theatrical success since its July 2026 release. The film, led by Matt Damon as Odysseus, features an ensemble cast including Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o and Theron. Nolan filmed the production with specially designed IMAX cameras and emphasized practical filmmaking and large-scale locations to create an immersive cinematic experience.
For Theron, the film’s success is about more than one blockbuster. She suggested that Hollywood should view the audience response as encouragement for filmmakers to continue creating ambitious theatrical experiences.
She also pointed to Nolan’s unusual ability to turn his films into major cinema events, while expressing hope that other filmmakers can achieve similar results. “Let’s hope he’s not the only one,” she said, according to reports of her comments.
The actress’s remarks arrive as Hollywood continues to consider how theatrical films can distinguish themselves in an entertainment landscape increasingly shaped by streaming. The Odyssey demonstrates the commercial potential of spectacle designed specifically for the cinema, while its success has renewed discussion about the relationship between filmmakers, audiences and the theatrical experience.
For Theron, the message is straightforward: audiences have not abandoned movie theaters. They may simply need compelling reasons to return.
