What to Watch, Play, and Listen Before Nolan’s The Odyssey

Excited for Christopher Nolan’s adaption of Homer’s classic epic the Odyssey? Here is a fantastic collection of films, tv shows, games, music and podcasts to introduce you to the world of ancient Greece, adaptions of the Odyssey and other myths that have been brought to life.

Films

Troy (2004)

This film is a little divisive in its reviews but The Trojan War as featured in this film is the war that features heavily in the Odyssey. While Troy (2004) is more based on the events of the Iliad, but as they’re in the same mythological universe there is a lot of character overlap. If you’re new to the Trojan War, this might be a great introduction before diving into the Odyssey. Trojan prince Paris falls in love with Menelaus’s wife (Helen), Menelaus’s brother King of Sparta Agamemnon uses his brother’s rage to finally declare war on Troy.

Clash of the Titans (2010)

One of the highest grossing films of 2010, Clash of the Titans is based on the tale of demi-god Perseus and the mortals of Greece rising up against their deities and declaring war on Zeus. Clash of the Titans while loosely based on the story of Perseus which takes place after the Odyssey, it’s another fantastic introduction to the world of ancient Greece and the force of the mythological creatures and Gods upon the world. Also without any spoilers for The Odyssey if you’re going in blind on the details.

Gladiator (2000)

The epic adventure, Ridley Scott film with Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix. First off – I know this is ancient Rome, but there’s a lot of overlap (Rome got their mythology from ancient Greece and renamed them). If you want to dive into the ancient world with fantastic actors, Gladiator is a great starting place. Maximus (played by Crowe) has been betrayed and reduced to being a slave, and as many slaves did Maximus ends up competing as a Gladiator. If you feel a little crazy you can also watch Gladiator II (2024) Ridley Scott’s long awaited sequel.

TV Shows

Percy Jackson and the Olympians (2023- )

This one can also fall into the reading category – Percy Jackson and the Olympians, originally a 5-book-series by Rick Riordan about the demigods born into the modern world. The Disney+ adaptation is a great and easy introduction into the world of ancient Greece and great family viewing and good fun if you’re just an adult. Starring Walker Scobell, Leah Sava’ Jefferies and Aryan Simhadri is the leading trio. We are two seasons into the adaption and season two we meet a cyclops you might also see pop up in Nolan’s the Odyssey. Percy Jackson reminds us that Gods don’t always make the best parents.

Koas (2024)

A Netflix series set in the modern world with a star studded cast playing the Gods of ancient Greece and Zeus (Jeff Goldblum) ruling over earth. It’s bright, colourful and a little bit silly, but Koas really introduces you to the might and chaos of the Gods of Ancient Greece. Goldblum portrays an erratic and paranoid Zeus and the traditions of the ancient world have been transferred into the modern day with care and love for the world they represent.

Atlantis (2013-2015)

This is a BBC series that only ran for two seasons despite being the biggest Saturday night drama – prime-time television spot – since 2006. While this series is a little bit all over the place on what mythology it picks and chooses to adapt; it’s a great adventure that introduces you to so many characters, monsters and kings from the ancient world. The series follows Jason, a submarine pilot who washes up on the beach of ‘Atlantis’ but may be more recognizable as Crete, King Minos and his wife Pasiphae are the reigning monarchs. Jason finds himself friends with Pythagoras (a young mathematician) and Hercules (an ex-fighter with a drinking problem). It’s very fast and loose with continuity but it a great adventure in the ancient world in a less lore heavy way if you’re not bothered about the mythological accuracy.

Games

Hades – SuperGiantGames

This was going to come up. Hades and it’s recent sequel Hades II dive into the lives of the children of Hades, fighting for their families, with assistance from the Olympians. The in-depth storytelling introduces you to the complex relationships between the Gods and mortals. This duology of games are Roguelites, you’re running through iterations of the same rooms to get to the end, if you die, you go back to the beginning to run again. Hades made me fall in love with this genre and the mechanics but can be frustrating for some gamers. It’s a fun game covered and wrapped up in a Greek mythology blanket that brings heart and love to a potentially brutal genre.

Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey – Ubisoft

Featuring a large open world, you can explore ancient Greece in a fictional history of the Peloponnesian War. You have the chance to explore Sparta (one half of the Trojan War) and Athens. The mythology is woven through the world and there are monsters featured who are myth classics. While these have been manipulated to fit with the world of Assassin’s Creed, if you love a long RPG to consume your time, AC: Odyssey may be a great play before Nolan’s film releases in July.

Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical

You play as Grace who is accused of murdering the last muse, you must convince the Gods of your innocence. With her newly developed powers of music, you have seven days to prove your innocence. This is a choose your own adventure with original songs thrown in. If you were a fan of the Telltale series this interactive narrative, visual novel will be right up your street, can you survive the trial of the Gods in Stray Gods.

Books

Circe by Madeline Miller

The trend of retelling myths started with Madeline Miller. Women of myths and the ancient world have been sidelined in translations, many writers are changing this, putting the women of ancient Greece at the forefront. Circe is a witch banished to solitude by the Gods, Odysseus meets her on his journey but the start of her story has so much more to tell. Circe uncovers the power of witchcraft that sets her apart from her family. This adaption tells a story that is left out of other Odyssey adaptions.

Ithaca by Claire North

Young bride Penelope is left alone when Odysseus leaves for war; with only her wits, her circle of maids and hope for her husband’s return. The Odyssey focuses on Odysseus being lost at sea North shares an adaption of Penelope’s experience as queen of Ithaca. An alternative perspective of events that take place in the Odyssey.

Stephen Fry’s Greek Myths

This is a four book series diving into Ancient Greek myths: Mythos, Heroes, Troy, Odyssey. Written and told by the wonderful Stephen Fry, who has a great voice, making it a brilliant audiobook too. Fry has imbued the stories with humor and warmth depicting a vivid world that is faithful to the original stories. If you’re prepping for Nolan’s the Odyssey then maybe dive into the fourth one, but if you’re trying to satisfy an interest in Ancient Greek mythology, then dive in at the beginning.

Listen – Music and Podcasts

EPIC the Musical

Epic the Musical written by Jorge Rivera-Herrans who shared the development on TikTok. This small project grew into a nine-part series of short albums telling the stories of the Odyssey. These songs are amazing, the cast they put together have created beautiful performances of these songs. There is an animated adaption of the Odyssey with Rivera-Herrans music as the guide. If you’re only going to listen to one of the nine short albums, the Troy Saga which was the original release and took TikTok by storm. You can find it here on YouTube.

Ancient History Fangirls

Hosted by Genn McMenemy and Jenny Williamson, their many seasons of the show take you around the ancient world, history and the mythological. Sometimes while a little drunk, but its fine because they have the support of the Dionysus the God of Wine. It’s great fun and an accessible dive into the academic side of researching and telling the stories of the ancient world. With such a brilliant back catalog of episodes you can pick and choose what interests you. Available on Patreon, Podcast Apps and YouTube.

Hopefully I have filled your heads with plenty of ancient history and ancient greek content and something for every taste. Despite not being a fan of Christopher Nolan, I am a big ancient history fan so I am looking forward to Nolan’s adaption of the Odyssey coming out in July.