Your guide to The Odyssey: Watch, learn and explore with PBS Wisconsin

Christopher Nolan’s 2026 blockbuster The Odyssey has brought ancient Greek poet Homer’s epic back into the cultural conversation.

Whether you’re preparing to see the film or you just want to dive deeper into the 2,700-year-old story that inspired it, PBS Wisconsin offers programs to help you explore the poem, its enduring influence and the myths surrounding Odysseus’ legendary journey.

What is The Odyssey?

The Odyssey was written by Homer between 2,700 and 2,800 years ago, making it one of the oldest surviving works of literature in the world. It follows the 10-year journey of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, as he tries to return home after the Trojan War. Themes of the poem – homecoming, hospitality, intelligence and loyalty – reflect prized social values of ancient Greece.

Its influence can be found throughout literature, film and popular culture – from “The Wizard of Oz” and “Ulysses” to “The Penelopiad” and Apocalypse Now.

In Articulate, explore why this “wanderer’s tale” has captivated readers for nearly three millennia.

A fresh take on The Odyssey

As the first woman to translate The Odyssey into English, professor Emily Wilson offers a fresh perspective on the challenges of translating ancient literature for modern readers.

She joined University Place in 2019 – just months after publishing her translation – to discuss her process and what it means to remain faithful to Homer’s original work.

Meet the monsters

Among the most memorable creatures Odysseus encounters are the Sirens, Scylla, Charybdis and the Cyclops Polyphemus.

Monstrum explores the origin story of the terrifying one-eyed giant and the role paleontology has played in creating monsters.

The edge of the known world

In this clip from Ancient Skies, discover how ancient Greeks imagined the edges of the known world and how those beliefs shaped Odysseus’ legendary voyage.

Did Odysseus really exist?

Was Odysseus a real king whose exploits inspired Homer’s epic, or is he purely a legendary figure?

In Odysseus Returns, amateur historian Makis Metaxas claims he found the bones of Odysseus. But the discovery is soon embroiled in controversy, and Metaxas embarks on his own odyssey to convince the world he is right.

Watch with PBS Wisconsin Passport.

Modern-day interpretations

Twenty-seven centuries later, Christopher Nolan has introduced the epic to a new generation of moviegoers. In a two-part Flicks interview, actor Matt Damon – who portrays Odysseus – discusses the film’s demanding production while filmmaker Nolan explains what it took to bring one of history’s greatest adventures to the big screen.

Continue your exploration of Odysseus’ legendary journey with these PBS Wisconsin programs, available to stream on pbswisconsin.org and the free PBS app.