The release of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey in 2026 drove the search for Troy on the internet, signalling the connection people are seeking between the movies, as both are inspired by the ancient Greek epic poems, the Iliad and the Odyssey, written by Homer. However, their connection goes beyond this, as Nolan's revelation about his link with Troy came to the surface in 2025. Moreover, the question among fans of whether to watch Troy to understand the context or whether it would be okay to watch The Odyssey directly has surfaced as a new concern for viewers.
The story connection — where Troy ends, The Odyssey begins
The Iliad and the Odyssey are two ancient epic poems that are very closely connected, but instead of seeing them as a prequel and sequel, both poems focus on different protagonists and plots. The Iliad precedes the Odyssey and centres around the Trojan War, which began when the Spartan queen Helen was taken to Troy by Prince Paris. Angered by his actions, her husband Menelaus asked his brother Agamemnon for help, who declared war against Troy. He gathered his army and sailed to Troy. The war lasted for several years and eventually ended when the Greek army hid inside a giant wooden horse, which the Trojans assumed was a peace offering from the enemy. As they brought it into the city, the soldiers hidden inside the horse launched an attack during the night and sacked the city. Thus, the Greeks won the war.
The Odyssey continues the story after the war, following the journey of one of the Greek commanders, Odysseus, King of Ithaca, who faced many hurdles on his path back home, a journey that took almost 10 years. Meanwhile, in the kingdom of Ithaca, Odysseus' palace is filled with suitors who pursue Penelope to marry one of them, believing Odysseus to be dead. She refuses to comply and waits for Odysseus. As he arrives in Ithaca, he formulates a strategy along with his son Telemachus and a loyal servant to kill all the suitors and their accomplices.
Both stories are connected, but they follow two totally different plots: the Iliad mainly centres around the Trojan War, whereas the Odyssey focuses on the perilous journey of King Odysseus.
The Nolan connection with Troy
While giving an interview, Nolan disclosed an important link to the blockbuster film Troy, which was directed by Wolfgang Petersen. He explained how he was once about to direct Troy but lost the opportunity when Wolfgang Petersen returned to the project after his own planned superhero film fell through. This shows his eagerness to work on an ancient epic, which was finally realised after 23 years in the form of The Odyssey. Nolan's precision and imagination in visualising one of the pioneering texts in literature are sure to amaze audiences.
How the two films differ — realistic war epic vs mythological adventure
There is a stark difference between Wolfgang Petersen's Troy and Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. Though both movies are set in the same world, Petersen omitted the presence and intervention of the gods from the film and portrayed it more as a great war between two powers to create a realistic war epic. On the contrary, Nolan stays more faithful to the source material and includes the major role of divine intervention, featuring characters such as the Cyclops, the Sirens, and Circe. Other than this, both films also have completely different casts. In Troy, Sean Bean starred as Odysseus, whereas Matt Damon plays the role in The Odyssey.
Should You Watch Troy Before The Odyssey?
Not required — The Odyssey works completely as a stand-alone film. But watching Troy first gives you the emotional and story context for the world Odysseus is leaving behind. If you have three hours before your IMAX booking, rewatch Troy. If not, go straight to The Odyssey. Either way, you cannot lose.
