Francis Ford Coppola’s latest film “Megalopolis” had a disappointing opening weekend, grossing only $4 million despite a huge $120 million budget. The movie, which was shown in over 1,800 theaters across the country, came in sixth place at the box office behind more family-friendly movies.
“Megalopolis” failed to meet modest expectations of $5-7 million in ticket sales. Critics gave mixed reviews of the ambitious project, with 49% of reviews rated as positive on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences also rated it poorly with a “D+” CinemaScore. Most viewers who saw it said they did so because of Coppola’s reputation as a famous director known for classics like “The Godfather” trilogy and “Apocalypse Now.”
Several other issues may have kept people away. Some criticized inappropriate behavior on set and misleading quotes used in ads. The serious subject matter was also challenging for general audiences. Furthermore, at 85 years old, Coppola personally funded the entire $120 million budget by selling part of his winery, but the movie needed big audiences to earn that money back.
Most in the industry were skeptical a movie on this scale could succeed. No major studios agreed to distribute “Megalopolis” until Coppola promised to invest $15-20 million in marketing through Lionsgate. The financial effects may be small for Lionsgate due to their deal, but the box office results raise questions about backing other big, original movies in the future.
While a huge loss, the failed launch likely won’t devastate Coppola given his business successes. But the poor reception of his longtime passion project could impact his ability to make more films. Only time will tell if “Megalopolis” finds an audience through later showings or internationally, but for now it serves as a reminder of the challenges top directors face in today’s film world.
