The highly anticipated film Argylle, produced by Apple Original Films and distributed by Universal, made its debut in theaters this week. With a budget of $200 million, hopes were high for a successful opening weekend. However, the film’s Thursday night previews fell short of expectations, earning only $1.7 million. This is considerably lower than the $2.4 million earned by Amazon MGM’s The Beekeeper just a few weeks prior. Unfortunately, this underwhelming start does not bode well for Argylle’s prospects at the box office.
One would think that a film boasting an impressive cast including Henry Cavill, John Cena, Ariana DeBose, Dua Lipa, Bryan Cranston, Catherine O’Hara, Sofia Boutella, and Samuel L. Jackson would have no trouble drawing in audiences. However, the early reviews on Rotten Tomatoes tell a different story. With a disappointing rating of only 34%, critics are advising moviegoers to steer clear of Argylle. While star power may initially attract attention, it seems that the film’s execution and storyline have failed to impress.
Argylle’s uphill battle is not solely due to its own shortcomings. Paramount’s Mean Girls, now in its third weekend, emerged as a strong competitor, outperforming Argylle’s previews with a solid $6.9 million. The Jason Statham-led action film, The Beekeeper, also presented stiff competition, earning $9.2 million in its second week. With these established films dominating the box office, it is no wonder that Argylle struggled to make a significant impact.
In contrast to Argylle’s disappointing performance, Fathom Events’ Season 4 of The Chosen showed promise. The first three episodes of the series earned an estimated $1.4 million across 2,236 theaters. The subsequent episodes are set to release in theaters later this month. This positive reception demonstrates that there is still room for success in the crowded box office landscape.
Considering Argylle’s lackluster previews and unfavorable reviews, it is unlikely that the film will reach the $20 million mark that some exhibitors had hoped for. With 3,100 theaters booked for the film and premium cinema options like PLF and IMAX, it had the potential for a strong opening. However, the negative buzz surrounding the film may deter audiences from taking the plunge.
In the coming weeks, it will be interesting to see if Argylle can overcome these initial obstacles and find an audience. While a disappointing debut certainly raises concerns, it is important to remember that the box office is often unpredictable. Only time will tell whether Argylle can defy expectations and emerge as a success story or if it will become yet another casualty of the fiercely competitive film industry.