This weekend’s box office saw a dramatic contrast between two highly anticipated films. Francis Ford Coppola’s Megalopolis faced a dismal domestic debut, while DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot soared to the top of the charts.
Coppola’s passion project, Megalopolis, which reportedly cost $120 million to produce, brought in only $4 million domestically, leaving it well below expectations. A disastrous D+ CinemaScore from audiences likely contributed to its poor performance. In contrast, the family-friendly Wild Robot raked in an impressive $35 million, securing the number one spot with stellar audience and critical reception. The film has a 98% score on both Rotten Tomatoes and CinemaScore, making it a clear favorite among moviegoers.
A Tale of Two Movies
Megalopolis was positioned as an ambitious retelling of the fall of the Roman Empire, set in a modern-day New York on the brink of collapse. Despite a star-studded cast including Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Giancarlo Esposito, the film struggled to connect with audiences. The lack of support from major studios left Lionsgate with the task of domestic distribution, but without the financial backing to push the film’s marketing. Even Coppola’s efforts to generate buzz by comparing the film’s political themes to current U.S. events fell flat, with the audience response lukewarm at best.
Meanwhile, The Wild Robot, directed by Oscar nominee Chris Sanders, captivated families with its heartwarming story about a shipwrecked robot bonding with an orphaned gosling. The high-profile voice cast, featuring Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, and Catherine O’Hara, helped drive its success. The movie’s blend of technology and nature struck a chord, and its global total reached $53.1 million.
Other Box Office Standouts
- Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice continues to perform well, holding strong at third place with $16 million, bringing its domestic total to $258.1 million.
- Transformers One, despite hopes of drawing a larger crowd, saw a 62% drop in its second week, grossing only $9.3 million, landing it in fifth place.
- Indian Telugu-language action film Devara: Part 1 surprised many by earning $5.5 million, taking fourth place.
Though Megalopolis may have failed to capture the audience’s imagination, the success of The Wild Robot demonstrates the continued demand for heartfelt family films with broad appeal. As for Coppola, his epic vision might just need a little more time—or a miracle—to find its audience.
