Before the Christopher Nolan film, there was this masterpiece.
The Odyssey hit theaters back on July 17, and is well on its way to being one of the biggest movies of 2026. The Christopher Nolan-directed adaptation of the ancient Greek epic poem, Homer’s Odyssey, features an all-star cast including Tom Holland, Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and more, and has already grossed $346 million worldwide since opening weekend.
If you’re not familiar with Homer’s Odyssey (or if it’s been a while since you had to read it in high school), the staple of classic literature tells the story of king Odysseus, also known as Ulysses, making his way home to his wife Penelope after the Trojan War. Along the way he faces obstacles both human and mythical, including the cyclops, Sirens who attempt to lure him off of his journey, and suitors for his wife who attempt to win her over after he’s presumed dead from the dangerous trek.
Sound familiar now? Well even if you haven’t read the book (or seen the new movie), you might already be familiar with the story thanks to a modern adaptation from back in 2000: The Coen brothers classic, O Brother, Where Art Thou?
I’ll admit, this is one of my favorite movies, not only because it’s hilarious but also because it features possibly the best soundtrack in modern cinema. And if you somehow didn’t realize it, the movie is actually a modern adaptation of Homer’s Odyssey.
The movie stars George Clooney as Ulysses Everett McGill (a nod to Ulysses from Odyssey, though in the movie the character goes by Everett) who have escaped from a prison chain gang to search for a buried treasure left behind by Everett.
The men, in need of money for their journey, unintentionally become superstars after recording a song called “Man of Constant Sorrow” to try to earn some funds. But their mission is threatened by several obstacles along the way, including three women (Sirens) who attract them with their song and get them drunk, a one-eyed Bible salesman (a Cyclops) portrayed by John Goodman, and Everette’s wife Penny (Penelope from Odyssey), who has since taken a new suitor after telling their children that their father was hit by a train.
Seeing the connection now?
There are other subtle nods to Homer’s epic in the movie, but back in 2006 directors Joel and Ethan Coen revealed that neither of the brothers had even read Odyssey at the time, and were only familiar with its storyline through adaptations and other references to the classic piece of literature in American culture.
Regardless, the film ended up being a massive hit and grossed nearly 3 times its budget worldwide during its release. The movie features a soundtrack that’s full of country music legends, including Ralph Stanley, Alison Kraus, and bluegrass legend Dan Tyminski providing the vocals for Clooney’s character on “Man of Constant Sorrow” by the fictitious Soggy Bottom Boys.
I haven’t seen the 2026 version of The Odyssey yet (honestly I don’t watch many movies), and I’m not sure that I will, because I don’t know how it’s ever going to top what may just be one of the greatest movies ever made, which also features the same storyline: O Brother, Where Art Thou?
