Apple’s Spy Thriller ‘Argylle’ Flops at Box Office

Apple Studios experienced its first box-office disappointment with the release of “Argylle,” a star-studded spy thriller. Despite debuting as the leading film at the weekend box office, the Matthew Vaughn-directed production generated little interest from moviegoers, earning only $18 million in ticket sales.

Since entering the original film industry in 2019, Apple has produced acclaimed movies like “CODA,” which won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2021. However, it is only recently that Apple has ventured into big-budget releases. The first two in this category, Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” and Ridley Scott’s “Napoleon,” had some level of success.

While “Killers of the Flower Moon” earned $156 million globally, making it one of the most celebrated films of 2023 and receiving 10 Academy Award nominations, it was not profitable. Similarly, “Napoleon” grossed $219 million worldwide, falling short of turning a profit. Nevertheless, these films elevated Apple’s reputation as a platform for top directors and prestige filmmaking.

Unfortunately, “Argylle” did not follow suit. Starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, and Henry Cavill, the twisty thriller received scathing reviews from critics, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of only 35% “fresh.” Additionally, ticket buyers expressed their dissatisfaction with the film, grading it a C+ CinemaScore.

For the distribution of their releases, Apple collaborated with established studios. Universal Pictures handled the release of “Argylle,” which premiered in 3,605 theaters across North America and generated an additional $17.3 million in 78 international markets. Meanwhile, Paramount and Sony were involved in the distribution of “Killers of the Flower Moon” and “Napoleon,” respectively.

Box Office Report: Quiet Weekend at Cinemas

“Argylle” Sparks Speculation, But No Taylor Swift Involvement

The highly anticipated film “Argylle,” directed by Matthew Vaughn of “Kingsman” fame, hit theaters this weekend with hopes of launching a new blockbuster franchise. However, much of the pre-release buzz surrounded Taylor Swift’s rumored involvement due to the prominent use of argyle patterns and a cat in the film’s promotional materials. Despite the online speculation, it turns out that Swift had no part in the movie. Nonetheless, “Argylle” managed to rake in $18 million at the box office.

“The Chosen” Takes Second Place with Christian Drama Series

In a strong showing at the box office, Christian drama series “The Chosen” secured the second spot over the weekend. The first three episodes of its fourth season, which depict the life of Jesus, premiered in 2,263 theaters nationwide. Audiences responded positively, as the release from Angel Studios grossed an impressive $6 million from Friday through Sunday.

Holding Strong: Box Office Dominated by Holdovers and Awards Contenders

Amid a relatively quiet weekend for new releases, ticket sales were mostly driven by holdover films and contenders in the awards race. Warner Bros.’ “Wonka” reached a milestone by crossing the $200 million mark domestically during its eighth week. Paramount’s “Mean Girls” also achieved a significant feat, surpassing $100 million after four weeks in theaters. Meanwhile, Amazon and MGM’s “The Beekeeper” neared $50 million in its fourth week of release.

Oscar Contenders Remain Popular in Theaters

Despite many Oscar contenders having been in theaters for months, they continue to draw audiences. Cord Jefferson’s “American Fiction,” starring Jeffrey Wright, has amassed a solid $15 million at the box office thus far for MGM. Following closely behind is Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things,” featuring Emma Stone, which has grossed an impressive $28.2 million domestically and a noteworthy $40.1 million overseas.

Top 10 Box Office Rankings:

1. “Argylle” – $18 million
2. “The Chosen” – $6 million
3. “The Beekeeper” – $5.3 million
4. “Wonka” – $4.8 million
5. “Migration” – $4.1 million
6. “Mean Girls” – $4 million
7. “Anyone But You” – $3.5 million
8. “American Fiction” – $2.3 million
9. “Poor Things” – $2.1 million
10. “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” – $2 million

(Note: Final domestic figures will be released on Monday. The ticket sales mentioned are estimates for Friday through Sunday at theaters in the United States and Canada, based on Comscore data.)