How to Make a Killing seems to be struggling to follow its own plot.
The 2026 film How to Make a Killing, anticipated to have a modest opening, is a modern reinterpretation of the 1949 classic Kind Hearts and Coronets. It portrays a man who eliminates his affluent family members to secure his inheritance. The film features Glen Powell, a prominent actor known for his roles in several successful films of the 2020s such as the hit romantic comedy Anyone But You, the sequel Top Gun: Maverick, and the disaster film Twisters.
According to Deadline, How to Make a Killing is expected to gather a modest $3.3 million over its opening three-day weekend from 1,625 theaters. It is predicted to rank sixth on the domestic charts, trailing behind films like Send Help, Crime 101, I Can Only Imagine 2, Wuthering Heights, and GOAT.
Despite the fact that all five films ranking above How to Make a Killing are being shown in over 2,000 theaters, its opening projections are notably weak, especially compared to other A24 films. Typically, A24 films, even those released in limited theaters, tend to achieve impressive per-screen averages during their debuts.
Indeed, A24 has secured 22 of the top 200 all-time best debut per-screen averages, with films like the recent Marty Supreme earning $145,900 and 2024’s We Live in Time making $46,523. A24 boasts 11 titles in the top 100 and seven in the top 50 best per-screen averages. However, How to Make a Killing falls significantly short with a projected per-screen average of just $2,031.
This lackluster projection might be due to the mixed reviews from critics, as the film currently holds a middling 48% on Rotten Tomatoes.
So far, How to Make a Killing is shaping up to be another setback for Glen Powell, following the underwhelming performance of the 2025 Stephen King adaptation The Running Man, which cost $110 million to make but only grossed $68.6 million globally.
It is uncertain whether Powell can recover from this recent downturn at the box office. Nevertheless, there is potential for a comeback given his involvement in upcoming projects with notable directors such as J.J. Abrams’ The Great Beyond and other untitled works from Ron Howard and Judd Apatow.
Ava Thornton is an entertainment journalist with a keen eye for the latest in Hollywood, indie films, and streaming trends.
Her work blends insider knowledge with a deep appreciation for storytelling.
