(Web Desk) - Matthew Vaughn’s highly anticipated action comedy, Argylle, had a lackluster opening weekend, bringing in a modest $16.5 million domestically.
This disappointing performance raises questions about Apple’s approach to big-budget filmmaking and its effectiveness in the theatrical landscape.
Despite a reported production cost of $200 million, Argylle fell short of industry expectations, with a Friday debut of $5.6 million, indicating a challenging path to recoup its substantial investment.
Overseas numbers were not significantly better, with an estimated global opening weekend earning of $16.9 million.
Critics have been critical of Argylle, highlighting a generic plot, underdeveloped characters, and an overemphasis on style rather than substance.
Audience reactions align with this sentiment, resulting in a lukewarm score on review aggregators.
This underwhelming performance follows the box office struggles of Apple’s previous film ventures, including Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon and Ridley Scott’s Napoleon.
Despite critical acclaim, the limited theatrical releases and simultaneous streaming premieres may have hindered their commercial success.
Argylle’s setback prompts questions about Apple’s commitment to theatrical filmmaking. While the company has other high-budget films in the pipeline, their prospects remain uncertain.
Whether Apple will adjust its strategy or reconsider its theatrical ambitions remains unclear.
For Matthew Vaughn, Argylle represents an uncommon misstep in an otherwise successful career. The director, known for hits like Kingsman and X-Men: First Class, is likely to bounce back, but the financial setbacks from Argylle will undoubtedly leave an impact.