'The Odyssey' hits UHD Blu-ray and digital on the same day

Christopher Nolan and his team have set the home release date for The Odyssey, which will be released simultaneously on UHD Blu-ray and digitally on November 17.

With its long theatrical exclusivity window, The Odyssey will have one of the longest theatrical exclusive period of any major film since Nolan's Oppenheimer.

A 120-day period is a return to the pre-covid era, but the holdback for most theatrical releases has otherwise shrunk significantly since the pandemic.

The Odyssey has grossed $1.45 billion at the worldwide box office.


Same-day UHD Blu-ray & digital releases
Nolan, who has made his love of theaters and physical media known on numerous occasions, has also opted for an unconventional home release strategy, with the film arriving simultaneously on physical discs and digital movie storefronts.

Normally, theatrical releases become available digitally before they arrive on physical media.

The home release is scheduled for November 17, 2026, according to Universal Studios, as reported by Variety.

The three-hour film, based on Homer's epic poem The Odyssey, stars Matt Damon as Odysseus on his perilous 10-year journey home to Ithaca following the Trojan War.


In 4K HDR – and 1.78:1 IMAX
The Odyssey will be released in 4K HDR, and early reports indicate that the film will use a 1.78:1 aspect ratio and DTS-HD MA 5.1 surround sound. Universal has yet to officially confirm these specifications.

The 1.78:1 (16:9) aspect ratio is not the original 1.43:1 IMAX format in which the film was shot from start to end, but 1.43:1 would result in black bars on each side of the TV picture. Instead, 1.78:1 is close to the 1.90:1 aspect ratio used in most IMAX cinemas. It is essentially 'IMAX Enhanced'.

 Also read: IMAX is common on Disney+ but still an exception on UHD Blu-ray


True IMAX only possible with a VR headset
There are no TVs with an aspect ratio equivalent to full-frame IMAX (1.43:1). The only way to experience The Odyssey in 1.43:1 outside a cinema would be with a VR headset, where a display can be virtualized in any desired aspect ratio.

IMAX and Apple launched a partnership to coincide with the launch of Apple Vision Pro, but it is limited to 3D documentaries.

Nolan has shown no interest in bringing his films to VR headsets.

- Source: Variety