‘The Odyssey’ And 5 Other Adaptations Of Homer's Story, Ranked
Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey (2026) is a new interpretation of Homer’s epic poem that chronicles the journey Odysseus and his men take home after the Trojan War. Starring Matt Damon, the film highlights the many strange things he and his crew encounter, as well as the tensions over who would rule his kingdom in his absence.
The Odyssey is an epic story that has been told and retold countless times, especially in film. But with so many adaptations, finding the best one is one of the more difficult tasks. But that doesn’t mean we won’t try to figure it out as well. Here are 5 other adaptations of Homer’s poem, ranked, and where you can find them on Prime Video, Apple TV, and more!
Ulysses (1954) is one of the earliest retellings of The Odyssey that was brought to the big screen. Starring Kirk Douglas as Odysseus, the film chronicles the events of the story as well as his return home and the trials that came with it.
Ulysses itself is far from a bad movie, yet the reason it’s at the bottom of this list is that it does its best with the runtime it has. Many elements can feel rushed, and the special effects of the time could only do so much. A fun watch, but one that has to come with disclaimers before watching.
A Hallmark miniseries, The Odyssey (1997) tells its story in two parts, over three hours, and does its best to recount every trial that Odysseus and his crew endured on their way back to Ithaca. The series was often praised for its use of practical effects and had a rather stacked cast for its time.
Unfortunately, what keeps the miniseries from being a standout is the fact that its made-for-TV status didn’t match the spectacle the story needed. The Odyssey’s performances have also been criticized for lacking emotion, especially from its lead.
A French series, Odysseus (2013), is a series that opts to tell a specific section of The Odyssey rather than the full story. In this one, it’s about the troubles in Ithaca as his wife, Penelope, and son, Telemachus, await his return as suitors try to take the throne.
What makes this show unique is how it expands on the lore and focuses on the political drama rather than the fantasy elements. It also takes a more expansive look at the love between Odysseus and Penelope, which becomes strained.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) might be one of the most creative takes on Homer’s epic poem in recent decades. Following a trio of prisoners chained together during the ’30s, they escape in hopes of finding a treasure before it’s buried in a lake.
The film is very much its own story, but when the nods to The Odyssey come in, they’re impossible to miss. It’s because of this, and its catchy music, that O Brother, Where Art Thou? remains a great adaptation of the story even if it isn’t a direct one.
Adapting Odysseus' return home, The Return (2024) sees Ralph Fiennes as Odysseus and Juliette Binoche as Penelope, and the struggles the king must face as he tries to reclaim his throne. The one thing that stands out most with The Return is the performances and how well the actors capture the turmoil of 20 years of separation between them.
Ultimately, it’s also the performances that make The Return such a compelling watch. It’s another film that doesn’t focus on the fantasy and mythological elements, and it can be hard to get engaged with it, if that’s what you want. But that doesn’t make The Return a bad film either.
Of course, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey (2026) would make it to the top of the list, but the reason for that isn’t solely because of who is behind or in front of the camera. Even with the constant online discourse about dialects or authenticity in clothing, there is a powerfully strong and epic scale to The Odyssey.
Seeing Odysseus brave the wrath of the Gods to return home is something that everyone can root for, and Nolan doesn’t cut corners in telling that tale. It’s easily one of the better ways to get introduced to the story and it finally came at a time when the technology could match the story itself.
