Nolan's 'Odyssey' edges 'Spider-Man' in opening weekend showdown

Hollywood blockbusters dominated the weekend box office. "Odyssey," Christopher Nolan's highly anticipated film — boosted by Nolan and other Hollywood stars visiting Korea for promotional events — narrowly defeated Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise entry "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" in their first weekend head-to-head.

According to the Korean Film Council's integrated ticketing network, the two films together drew 2.6 million admissions over the weekend of Aug. 7-9, driving strong turnout at cinemas nationwide.

In its opening weekend, "Odyssey" pulled ahead of the fast-charging "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" and comfortably crossed the 2 million admissions mark.

"Odyssey" recorded 1.33 million weekend admissions, bringing its cumulative total to about 1.87 million and placing it atop the weekend box office. By Monday morning, the film had surpassed 2 million total admissions — six days faster than "The King's Warden," which drew 16.9 million admissions, and six days ahead of the pace set by Nolan's previous film, "Oppenheimer" (2023).

Despite screening on fewer screens than "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," "Odyssey" secured victory in one of the most fiercely contested Hollywood blockbuster matchups in recent memory, posting a seat occupancy rate of over 70 percent.

"Spider-Man: Brand New Day" finished second with about 1.26 million weekend admissions. The film crossed the 5 million mark on Saturday and is now on the verge of 6 million, with a cumulative total of about 5.91 million as of Monday morning.

Whether the film can surpass its predecessors — "Spider-Man: Homecoming" (7.25 million) and "Spider-Man: No Way Home" (7.55 million) — to become the top-grossing entry in the Tom Holland-led franchise is now a key question.

Third place went to "Love Hachoo Pink: Legend of the Whale Gem," an animated fantasy following Romi and Hachoo Pink on a miraculous adventure to rescue a mother who has vanished into the sea. The film drew about 289,000 admissions over the weekend for a cumulative total of about 433,000.

Director Na Hong-jin's "Hope" drew about 101,000 admissions over the weekend, bringing its cumulative total to about 4.39 million. The film is set for a North American release in early September and has been invited to the Midnight Madness section of the 51st Toronto International Film Festival, which opens Sept. 10, where it will screen for local audiences.