Seth Rogen and Edward Norton's New Psychological Relationship Thriller Takes Over HBO Max

The countdown to the 99th Academy Awards is on, and several names are already being lined up as favorites. Christopher Nolan's epic adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey remains the front-runner, with some even suggesting it is the heir to the throne of Ryan Coogler's Sinners, which broke the record for the most nominations earlier this year. Nolan's last big project, the biopic Oppenheimer, stormed the 2024 ceremony, winning seven of its 13 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director prizes.

The most surprising competition for The Odyssey is the sudden smash-hit documentary You Can See Everything, which looks set to become the first Best Picture-nominated doc of all time. The Andrew Scott-led Elsinore, Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi's La Bola Negra, Martin McDonagh's Wild Horse Nine, and Cristian Mungiu's Fjord all also pose a threat to The Odyssey, but several other titles are quietly gaining momentum on the hunt for a surprise inclusion in the Best Picture category. This includes Olivia Wilde's The Invite, one of the true gems of 2026.

A remake of the Spanish-language comedy The People Upstairs, this must-watch jewel in the 2026 cinematic line-up also stars Seth Rogen, Edward Norton, and Penélope Cruz, alongside Wilde, who is making her third directorial effort following her debut Booksmart, and Don’t Worry Darling. Recently, The Invite made its way to a brand-new streamer and is already proving a major hit. At the time of writing, Wilde's latest is the most-watched movie on HBO Max in the U.S. It also ranks as the most-watched movie on Paramount+ in Australia.

How Much Did 'The Invite' Make at the Box Office?

Not just a critical darling, The Invite also proved a commercial success earlier this year, as strong word of mouth helped keep the film relevant during a competitive box office window. Against a reported $15 million budget, the film returned over $60 million worldwide, split between a domestic haul of $26 million and a further $34 million from overseas markets. The Invite opened in sixth place in the box office ranks after its wide release, even managing to earn more than the horror phenomenon Obsession in its first weekend.