[Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] Director Christopher Nolan’s new film, “The Martian,” topped the North American box office on its opening day.

According to U.S. entertainment media outlet Variety and others on the 18th (local time), “The Martian” grossed $51 million (approximately 76 billion won) in North America on the 17th, its opening day, to claim the No. 1 spot at the box office.
Estimated box office revenue for its opening weekend (Friday–Sunday) is $120 million (approximately 160 billion won). This marks the best performance among live-action films released in North America this year. Among all films released this year—including animated films—it is expected to rank as the third-largest opening of the year, following the previously released “Toy Story 5” ($159 million) and “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie” ($131 million).
This is also a strong performance compared to director Christopher Nolan’s previous films. It ranks behind his highest-grossing films, *The Dark Knight Rises* ($160 million) and *The Dark Knight* ($158 million).
*Odyssey*, which opens in South Korea on the 5th of next month, is the latest film from director Christopher Nolan, whose previous works—including *Interstellar*, *Dunkirk*, *Tenet*, and *Oppenheimer*—have drawn over 36 million viewers in South Korea alone. Director Christopher Nolan has drawn attention by announcing his first-ever visit to South Korea next month to commemorate the release of *Odyssey*.
“Odyssey” follows the journey of Odysseus (played by Matt Damon), the hero who led the 10-year Trojan War to victory, as he strives to return to his wife Penelope (played by Anne Hathaway) and his son Telemachus (played by Tom Holland). Ahead of its release, the first and second screenings on opening day at the CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall IMAX theater sold out all seats—excluding those reserved for people with disabilities—demonstrating the high level of anticipation for the film.