Nolan’s “The Odyssey” Revives Interest in Homer as Ancient Literature Sales Soar 1,400%

Christopher Nolan’s film, inspired by “The Odyssey,” has not only brought millions of viewers to cinemas but has also significantly boosted demand for Homer’s epic poem and works related to Greek mythology.

In Britain, during the four weeks ending July 25, sales of editions of “The Odyssey” rose by 1,400 percent compared with the same period a year earlier. Among the most popular versions is the 2017 translation by British-American scholar Emily Wilson.

Waterstones also recorded an increase of more than 1,000 percent in sales compared with 2025. Readers’ attention has not been limited to “The Odyssey,” but has also extended to “The Iliad,” Madeline Miller’s “Circe” and Margaret Atwood’s “The Penelopiad.” Meanwhile, on Amazon, an adaptation of the work by actor and writer Stephen Fry tops the British ranking of bestselling history books. Increased interest has also been observed in audiobooks.

According to Spotify, searches for translations of “The Odyssey” have risen by 310 percent. Academics in Britain hope the film’s impact will persuade more young people to study classical literature and civilization. UCL, the university where Nolan studied Homer as an undergraduate, expects student numbers to increase in the coming years.

The film’s plot centers on Odysseus’ attempt to return home after the Trojan War. Matt Damon plays the hero, Anne Hathaway portrays Penelope, while Tom Holland appears as their son, Telemachus.

For two consecutive weeks, “The Odyssey” has topped the U.S. box office, while global revenue has reached $640 million. Despite its success, the film has faced criticism from Emily Wilson and historian Mary Beard. Wilson said the screenplay lacks the psychological, emotional and ethical depth that characterizes the poem. Beard, meanwhile, argued that the work’s ironies and dilemmas had been set aside to make way for a heavy-handed Hollywood message.