Why You Should Watch 'Troy' Before 'The Odyssey'

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey (2026) is one of the most highly anticipated films of the year. Nolan is the director behind the critically acclaimed films Oppenheimer (2023) and Dunkirk (2017), but this will be his first time tapping into Ancient Greece. So far, the film is shaping up to be quite the spectacle, boasting a $250 million budget and an A-list cast, including Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, and Tom Holland.

As the premiere draws closer, there are a few ways to prepare for its release. You can always catch up with The Odyssey’s cast and their most recognizable performances. Additionally, you can prepare storywise by watching Troy (2004), which will help you ease into The Odyssey.

Is ‘The Odyssey’ A Sequel To ‘Troy’?

Cinematically, The Odyssey and Troy are not connected. They hail from different film studios, directors, and feature different actors in the role of Odysseus. Although The Odyssey isn’t a direct sequel to Troy, they’re closer than spiritual successors, given their shared source material. Troy is a loose adaptation of Homer’s The Iliad, while The Odyssey is a chronological sequel to The Iliad. Homer delves into the Trojan War in The Iliad, while The Odyssey takes place after the war and follows Odysseus on his journey home. The Odyssey references events from The Iliad, features some of the same characters, and wouldn’t exist without this earlier work.

When it comes to the written works, you technically don’t have to read The Iliad before The Odyssey, but I would recommend it because of the context it provides for the latter. The same can be true for the movies, although it’s a little more complicated because Troy isn’t a wholly faithful adaptation of The Iliad. One of the biggest complaints fans of The Iliad have about Troy is that it wholly omits the mystical side and the gods of Homer’s story. Troy turns the story into a grounded war epic, but in The Iliad, the gods are integral to the plot and theme.

As of now, we don’t know for sure whether The Odyssey will take Troy’s grounded approach or will stay closer to the source material. If it does include supernatural elements, there’s a chance that going from Troy to The Odyssey will be confusing. Even so, Troy will still provide the context of the Trojan War for you and introduce you to an iteration of Odysseus, portrayed by Sean Bean. While not entirely faithful, Troy nonetheless sets the stage for The Odyssey, introducing you to its world, themes, and story. Troy and The Odyssey are like two sides of the same story, making Troy an excellent watch to prepare for Nolan’s upcoming film.

Why To Watch ‘Troy’

Troy is especially relevant now due to The Odyssey’s arrival, but it also stands well on its own. The film certainly divided critics at the time, but it’s worth noting that much of the criticism came from those seeking a faithful adaptation of Homer’s work. Although Troy doesn’t work as the faithful adaptation Homer readers wanted, it works as a strong war epic. It expands the scope of Homer’s work, delving far deeper into the Trojan War and really leaning into that gritty war premise.

Troy is violent and brutal, and it boasts powerful performances, especially from Brad Pitt and Sean Bean, who bring depth to their roles. The whole movie is quite the spectacle and gives you the same adrenaline rush as other historical epics, like Gladiator (2000) and Braveheart (1995). It’s by no means a perfect movie or adaptation, but it has that sense of action and adventure that keeps you glued to the screen. If you’re looking for an entertaining, gritty, and glorious war epic, Troy is the way to go.

Alternatives To ‘Troy’ To Watch Before ‘The Odyssey’

If you’re still not sold on Troy, there are a few other options that can give you the gist of the Trojan War before The Odyssey. Helen of Troy (2003) is another loose adaptation of The Iliad, centering on Helen (Sienna Guillory), whose abduction inadvertently triggers the Trojan War. Troy largely overshadowed Helen of Troy, but it’s a decent adaptation. It doesn’t boast the epic scale of Troy, but it really nails the storytelling and human conflict side of the Trojan War. 

Another option is Troy: Fall of a City, which avoids criticism for lack of faithfulness by not labeling itself an adaptation of The Iliad. It strives to frame the Trojan War through its own story, drawing on myths and legends beyond The Iliad to delve into the war’s cause and effect. The series offers something Helen of Troy and Troy don’t: a unique and thought-provoking interpretation of the Trojan War. It has the epic scale of Troy but doesn’t forego depth for spectacle. Troy: Fall of a City will arguably offer you the most intrinsic introduction to the Trojan War and will give you a lot to think about before The Odyssey.