The Odyssey film fans inspired to go back to the source
Christopher Nolan's film adaptation of The Odyssey has triggered a massive surge in interest for Homer's original epic poem. Book sales for print editions and audiobooks have risen significantly, with Emily Wilson's translation seeing particularly high demand.
Why it matters
This trend demonstrates the significant influence of modern cinema on public engagement with classical literature and historical texts.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The cast of The Odyssey includes Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong'o, Charlize Theron, Zendaya and Samantha Morton
Sir Christopher Nolan's big-screen version of The Odyssey has become one of the box office hits of the year - and has also sparked interest in the original Greek myth, with book sales and audiobook listening figures rising sharply.
The director's take on Homer's epic poem took $264m (£198m) at cinema box offices globally in its opening weekend, including $52m (£39m) on giant Imax screens.
Some of those fans have been inspired to go back to the source, with sales of print editions rising by 700% in the UK last week compared with the same period in 2025.
An audio version read by Sir Stephen Fry is now in the Spotify UK audiobook top 10, while Sir Ian McKellen's narration has entered the equivalent chart in the US.
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