The summer box office, driven by 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day,' welcomes a series of new releases in August. Christopher Nolan's 'Odyssey' kicks off the month, followed by the Korean films 'OK Madam 2' and 'Gyeongju Journey,' which aim to continue the momentum into the second half of the year.
The first release is Nolan's 'Odyssey.' Known for directing films like 'Inception,' 'Interstellar,' 'Dunkirk,' 'Tenet,' and 'Oppenheimer,' Nolan adapts Homer's epic 'Odyssey' for the screen. The film chronicles the ten-year journey of the hero Odysseus as he returns to his homeland of Ithaca, where his wife Penelope awaits. Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Tom Holland as their son Telemachus, Robert Pattinson as suitor Antinous, Zendaya as the goddess Athena, and Charlize Theron as Calypso.
According to the integrated ticketing system, 'Odyssey' attracted 291,008 viewers on its opening day, August 5, surpassing 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' to claim the top spot at the box office. It outperformed the opening day figures of Nolan's previous films: 'Tenet' (137,740), 'Inception' (149,246), 'The Dark Knight' (165,380), 'Dunkirk' (224,242), and 'Interstellar' (227,025). Following its North American release, the film achieved a 97% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes (as of July 15) and a 97% audience score (as of July 18), topping the box office in 69 countries worldwide and generating $264.06 million in global opening weekend revenue, breaking the record previously held by 'The Dark Knight Rises.'
'Odyssey' is notable for being the first film in history shot entirely in IMAX film format. It combines real locations, live stunts, and practical effects while minimizing CGI. Filming took place over 91 days in Greece, Italy, Iceland, Scotland, and the United States, utilizing a total of 2.1 million feet (approximately 640 kilometers) of film.
Korean cinema offers a mix of comedy and drama. Director Lee Cheol-ha's 'OK Madam 2' is a sequel to the 2020 film 'OK Madam.' While the original combined comedy and action in the confined space of an airplane, the sequel expands its setting to a luxurious cruise ship. The story follows Mi-young, a former agent, and her family as they embark on a cruise vacation, only to become embroiled in a kidnapping incident. The film was shot on an actual operating international cruise ship measuring 183 meters long, 12 stories high, and weighing 26,000 tons, capturing scenes from the captain's cabin to the engine room.
The cast features returning members Jeong-hwa Um, Seong-woong Park, Sang-yoon Lee, and Jeong-nam Bae, along with new additions Jin-joo Park, Ryu-un, and Soo-young Choi. Jeong-hwa Um reprises her role as Mi-young, a seemingly ordinary housewife with a secret past, while Soo-young Choi makes her action debut as the villain Anya, who threatens the cruise. Director Lee Cheol-ha describes the film as filled with beautiful visuals of the sea, sky, and waves, perfect for summer viewing.
On August 26, 'Gyeongju Journey' will be released. Directed and written by Kim Mi-jo, the film tells the story of four women who have waited eight years for their youngest daughter, Gyeongju, who did not return from a school trip. On Gyeongju's birthday, mother Ok-sil and her three daughters, Jang-joo, Yeong-joo, and Dong-joo, embark on a trip to Gyeongju, but the trunk of their van holds the perpetrator they have been waiting for. The journey serves as an alibi, while their true purpose is revenge. Lee Jeong-eun plays Ok-sil, Gong Hyo-jin portrays Jang-joo, Park So-dam is Yeong-joo, and Lee Yeon takes on the role of Dong-joo.
'Gyeongju Journey' focuses on the flawed plans of revenge rather than straightforward retribution, exploring the family's long-buried wounds. Director Kim Mi-jo describes it as a family film disguised as a revenge story, ultimately filled with profound love. The film premiered at the 45th Hawaii International Film Festival and won the Audience Award at the 24th Florence Korean Film Festival.
August's box office, which began with 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day,' will continue with the visually stunning 'Odyssey,' the summer entertainment film 'OK Madam 2,' and the genre-bending family revenge drama 'Gyeongju Journey.' It remains to be seen how far these distinct new releases will carry the box office momentum into the latter half of the year.
The first release is Nolan's 'Odyssey.' Known for directing films like 'Inception,' 'Interstellar,' 'Dunkirk,' 'Tenet,' and 'Oppenheimer,' Nolan adapts Homer's epic 'Odyssey' for the screen. The film chronicles the ten-year journey of the hero Odysseus as he returns to his homeland of Ithaca, where his wife Penelope awaits. Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, Anne Hathaway as Penelope, Tom Holland as their son Telemachus, Robert Pattinson as suitor Antinous, Zendaya as the goddess Athena, and Charlize Theron as Calypso.
According to the integrated ticketing system, 'Odyssey' attracted 291,008 viewers on its opening day, August 5, surpassing 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' to claim the top spot at the box office. It outperformed the opening day figures of Nolan's previous films: 'Tenet' (137,740), 'Inception' (149,246), 'The Dark Knight' (165,380), 'Dunkirk' (224,242), and 'Interstellar' (227,025). Following its North American release, the film achieved a 97% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes (as of July 15) and a 97% audience score (as of July 18), topping the box office in 69 countries worldwide and generating $264.06 million in global opening weekend revenue, breaking the record previously held by 'The Dark Knight Rises.'
'Odyssey' is notable for being the first film in history shot entirely in IMAX film format. It combines real locations, live stunts, and practical effects while minimizing CGI. Filming took place over 91 days in Greece, Italy, Iceland, Scotland, and the United States, utilizing a total of 2.1 million feet (approximately 640 kilometers) of film.
Korean cinema offers a mix of comedy and drama. Director Lee Cheol-ha's 'OK Madam 2' is a sequel to the 2020 film 'OK Madam.' While the original combined comedy and action in the confined space of an airplane, the sequel expands its setting to a luxurious cruise ship. The story follows Mi-young, a former agent, and her family as they embark on a cruise vacation, only to become embroiled in a kidnapping incident. The film was shot on an actual operating international cruise ship measuring 183 meters long, 12 stories high, and weighing 26,000 tons, capturing scenes from the captain's cabin to the engine room.
The cast features returning members Jeong-hwa Um, Seong-woong Park, Sang-yoon Lee, and Jeong-nam Bae, along with new additions Jin-joo Park, Ryu-un, and Soo-young Choi. Jeong-hwa Um reprises her role as Mi-young, a seemingly ordinary housewife with a secret past, while Soo-young Choi makes her action debut as the villain Anya, who threatens the cruise. Director Lee Cheol-ha describes the film as filled with beautiful visuals of the sea, sky, and waves, perfect for summer viewing.
On August 26, 'Gyeongju Journey' will be released. Directed and written by Kim Mi-jo, the film tells the story of four women who have waited eight years for their youngest daughter, Gyeongju, who did not return from a school trip. On Gyeongju's birthday, mother Ok-sil and her three daughters, Jang-joo, Yeong-joo, and Dong-joo, embark on a trip to Gyeongju, but the trunk of their van holds the perpetrator they have been waiting for. The journey serves as an alibi, while their true purpose is revenge. Lee Jeong-eun plays Ok-sil, Gong Hyo-jin portrays Jang-joo, Park So-dam is Yeong-joo, and Lee Yeon takes on the role of Dong-joo.
'Gyeongju Journey' focuses on the flawed plans of revenge rather than straightforward retribution, exploring the family's long-buried wounds. Director Kim Mi-jo describes it as a family film disguised as a revenge story, ultimately filled with profound love. The film premiered at the 45th Hawaii International Film Festival and won the Audience Award at the 24th Florence Korean Film Festival.
August's box office, which began with 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day,' will continue with the visually stunning 'Odyssey,' the summer entertainment film 'OK Madam 2,' and the genre-bending family revenge drama 'Gyeongju Journey.' It remains to be seen how far these distinct new releases will carry the box office momentum into the latter half of the year.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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