The latest box office results have brought contrasting fortunes for two highly anticipated films, with “Megalopolis” failing to impress while “Wild Robot” soared to the top spot. Francis Ford Coppola’s long-awaited “Megalopolis,” which he self-financed for $120 million, struggled to attract audiences, earning just $4 million on its debut weekend. In contrast, the DreamWorks Animation film “Wild Robot,” directed by Chris Sanders, exceeded expectations by raking in $35 million in ticket sales in the US and Canada.
“Wild Robot,” an adaptation of Peter Brown’s popular book, received critical acclaim for its heartwarming story about a robot raising an orphan gosling. Audiences also responded positively, giving the film an A CinemaScore, indicating strong word-of-mouth prospects for the future. The success of “Wild Robot” is expected to lead to a lucrative run for Universal Pictures, the studio behind the movie.
In contrast, Coppola’s “Megalopolis,” a modern-day Roman epic set in New York, faced challenges from the start. Despite the director’s ambitious vision and a star-studded cast including Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Aubrey Plaza, the film received mixed reviews and a disappointing D+ CinemaScore from viewers. While the financial results may deem “Megalopolis” a flop, Coppola prioritised the creative and personal aspects of the project over commercial success.
Following its debut at the Cannes Film Festival, “Megalopolis” struggled to find distribution until Lionsgate eventually stepped in. The film’s marketing costs of $15 million were mostly covered by Coppola himself, reflecting his commitment to realising his artistic vision. Additionally, the film screened in around 200 IMAX locations, contributing $1.8 million to its total box office revenue.
Elsewhere at the box office, Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” dropped to second place after three weeks at the top, with $16 million in its fourth weekend. The sequel to the 1988 hit has now crossed $250 million domestically. “Transformers One,” a prequel starring Chris Hemsworth and Brian Tyree Henry, secured the third spot with around $9 million in its second weekend.
Meanwhile, Jason Reitman’s “Saturday Night,” a reflective portrayal of the iconic sketch-comedy show’s inaugural episode in 1975, made a strong debut in limited release. The film grossed $265,000 in just five theatres in New York and Los Angeles, boasting an impressive per-theater average of $53,000. “Saturday Night” is slated for a wider release in the coming weeks, coinciding with the iconic NBC series entering its 50th season.