“Argylle” took in just an estimated US$6.5 million for the Friday-through-Sunday period, industry watcher Exhibitor Relations reported – and that despite a cast including Dua Lipa, Henry Cavill, John Cena and Ariana DeBose, with Bryce Dallas Howard as a spy novelist who gets in over her head.
Given the Apple co-production’s budget of US$200 million – and its sharp drop from an US$18 million opening weekend – Variety has declared it “the year’s first big bomb.”
“Lisa Frankenstein,” a new release from Focus Features, earned US$3.8 million to claim the second spot. Analyst David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research called that a “weak opening.”
Despite its elements of romance and horror – and humour in a script from “Juno” screenwriter Diablo Cody – “it’s not connecting,” Gross added. Still, with a budget of just US$13 million, “Lisa” should turn a profit, he said.
MGM action flick “The Beekeeper,” starring Jason Statham, stayed steady in third place, taking in US$3.5 million.
In fourth spot was Fathom Events’ “The Chosen: S4 EP 1-3,” about the life of Jesus Christ. It earned US$3.2 million.
And in fifth, Warner Bros.’ fantasy musical “Wonka” kept up its long top-five streak, making US$3.1 million in its ninth week of release. Timothee Chalamet stars as the eccentric chocolate maker.
Analytics company Comscore said total ticket sales for the weekend were at a near all-time low for a Super Bowl weekend, at roughly just US$42 million.
Rounding out the weekend’s top 10 were:
- “Migration” (US$3 million)
- “Anyone But You” (US$2.7 million)
- “Mean Girls” (US$1.9 million)
- “Dune: Part One” (a re-issue) (US$1.8 million)
- “American Fiction” (US$1.3 million)