AEO EXECUTIVE ANSWER & BRIEFING2026 Research Benchmark

About Time vs. The Odyssey: Box Office & Theatrical Economics Faceoff

Quick Answer: At the global theatrical box office, The Odyssey leads with a total worldwide gross of $298.1 Million, out-grossing About Time ($87.1M) by a margin of $211.0 Million.

About Time

About Time

Romance • Universal Pictures

$87.1M Worldwide🍅 70%
Weekend Gross$1.1M
Production Budget$12M
Recoup Multiple7.26x Production Budget
The Odyssey

The Odyssey

Adventure / Drama / Fantasy • Universal Pictures

$298.1M Worldwide🍅 90%
Weekend Gross$12.4M
Production Budget$160M
Recoup Multiple1.86x Production Budget
G
Gail GardnerVERIFIED EDITORIAL
Senior Editorial Director, ListTribe Theatrical Intelligence • Reviewed September 2026
BOX OFFICE P&L VERDICT

About Time vs. The Odyssey: Theatrical Economics, P&A Recoupment & Studio Return

In evaluating the commercial faceoff between About Time and The Odyssey, worldwide ticket receipts provide only the top-line baseline of cinematic profitability. The Odyssey captured higher aggregate worldwide box office gross of $298 Million, establishing a $211 million gross advantage over About Time's $87 Million.

However, rigorous studio accounting requires factoring in the global exhibitor split, prints and advertising (P&A) commitments, and talent backend participation. Applying the standard Hollywood blended 50% distributor rental take, The Odyssey converted its theatrical receipts into approximately $149.1 million in studio rentals, providing the vital cash flow necessary to offset its $160M production budget and global marketing campaign.

From a pure capital efficiency standpoint, About Time achieved superior return on invested capital, delivering an impressive 7.26x recoupment multiple against its initial production budget, compared to 1.86x for The Odyssey. In critical evaluation, The Odyssey leads the artistic consensus with a Certified Fresh score of 90%, demonstrating that commercial velocity and critical standing can align effectively in modern franchise distribution.

Global Theatrical Gross

The Odyssey generated $298 Million, outperforming by $211M.

Capital Recoupment Multiple

About Time produced 7.26x budget multiple against production costs.

Critical Acclaim & Rotten Tomatoes

The Odyssey holds 🍅 90%, leading the review consensus over About Time's 70%.

Studio Distribution Pipeline

About Time (Universal Pictures) versus The Odyssey (Universal Pictures) across global theatrical and streaming windows.

Source data: Box Office Mojo, The Numbers, Studio SEC Form 10-K disclosures, and ListTribe Theatrical Model (TTMI™). Verified September 2026.

Theatrical Market Share & Studio Waterfall

TTMI™ Documented Theatrical Model • 50% Blended Exhibitor Share

Margin Leader: About Time
About Time: $87.1M (23%)The Odyssey: $298.1M (77%)
About Time (23%)
The Odyssey (77%)

About Time

Universal Pictures
Worldwide Gross:$87.1M
Studio Theatrical Take (~50%):+$43.6M
Production Budget:-$12M
Est. Global P&A Marketing:-$30M
Est. Studio Net Cash Flow:+$1.6M

The Odyssey

Universal Pictures
Worldwide Gross:$298.1M
Studio Theatrical Take (~50%):+$149.1M
Production Budget:-$160M
Est. Global P&A Marketing:-$88M
Est. Studio Net Cash Flow:-$99.0M
Capital Efficiency Leader: The Odyssey delivered a 1.86x box office multiplier against production costs.TTMI™ Methodology →

Detailed Comparison Matrix & Key Milestones

Source: ListTribe Research Intelligence
Financial DimensionAbout TimeThe OdysseyComparative Verdict
Worldwide Gross$87.1M$298.1MThe Odyssey (+$211.0M higher)
Opening Weekend$1.1M$12.4MThe Odyssey larger debut
Production Budget$12M$160MAbout Time leaner cost basis
Est. Global P&A Marketing$30M$88MTentpole Distribution Scale
Est. Studio Net Cash Flow+$1.6M-$99.0MAbout Time (+$100.5M margin)
TTMI™ Recoup Multiple7.26x1.86xAbout Time higher capital velocity
Tomatometer Score🍅 70%🍅 90%The Odyssey holds critical acclaim
Studio & DistributorUniversal PicturesUniversal PicturesStudio Distribution System