The latest film by 20th Century Studios featuring Ella McCay has encountered further disappointing news in its box office journey, as it experienced a significant drop in revenue in its second week.
Reports from Variety indicate that the film only managed to earn $480,000 across 2,500 theaters during its second weekend, which translates to a sharp 75% decrease from its initial earnings. Currently, the total box office revenue for the film is a mere $3.5 million, which is considered highly unsuccessful.
This 75% decline places Ella McCay among the top 100 most significant drops for a film in its second weekend, according to data from Box Office Mojo. Notable films such as Blindness (2008) and Free Fire (2017) also saw similar declines during their second weekends.
With a production budget of $35 million, achieving even a modest level of success now seems implausible for Ella McCay. According to standard industry calculations, the film would need to reach a breakeven point of around $87.5 million, a target that now appears unattainable.
The film stars Emma Mackey and is directed by James L. Brooks. It follows a young, ambitious woman who faces challenges balancing her career and family life after an unexpected promotion to state governor. Despite a star-studded cast including Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Spike Fearn, Rebecca Hall, Ayo Edebiri, Kumail Nanjiani, and Jack Lowden, the film has struggled at the box office.
Mackey, widely recognized for her role in Netflix’s Sex Education, and her performances in Barbie (2023) and Death on the Nile (2022), has yet to prove her ability to draw significant audiences as a lead actress in theaters.
The film has not only performed poorly in terms of sales but has also received largely negative reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has secured only a 24% approval rating from critics, while the audience score on Popcornmeter is slightly better at 54% but still mixed.
The dramedy has been criticized for its inability to effectively blend humor with drama and for its outdated portrayal of women in power. Its attempts at political commentary have also been met with negative responses.
Disney is the parent company of 20th Century Studios.
In addition to co-creating The Simpsons, Brooks has directed acclaimed films such as Terms of Endearment (1983) and Broadcast News (1987). However, his recent projects like Spanglish (2004) and How Do You Know (2010) have not been successful.
The future of Ella McCay in its upcoming third weekend remains uncertain, but it is now almost certain that the film will conclude as both a critical and commercial failure.
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.
