Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
The American epicMegalopoliswas the long-awaited dream project of the visionary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. He fully committed to the film, taking on the roles of writer, director, and producer. After decades of development, the movie premiered in 2024 but received a disappointing response.
It failed to create any cinematic magic, resulting in significant financial loss for Coppola, who self-financed the project with a budget of $120 million. While there are many potential reasons for a film’s box office failure, this article will explore the top five reasons whyMegalopolislikely did not succeed.
5Megalopolis Reviews: A Mixed Bag of Opinions
The journey ofFrancis Ford Coppola’sMegalopolisis as complex as the film itself. After years of development, Coppola finally began filming in 2022, using $120 million of his own funds. Set in a fictional New York City, the story follows architect Cesar Catilina, played byAdam Driver, as he takes on a corrupt mayor, portrayed byGiancarlo Esposito.
Since premiering at the Cannes Film Festival,Megalopolishas stirredcontroversy, facing allegations of misconduct on set and criticism for a trailer that featured fake quotes from critics. With a51% ratingon Rotten Tomatoes, audience reactions have been split.
“That is some top tier bad acting”: We Are Scared For Francis Ford Coppola After Watching THIS ‘Megalopolis’ Clip
Further, critics have offered mixed reviews; Kyle Smith fromThe Wall Street Journaldescribed the film as confusing, while David Rooney fromThe Hollywood Reporteradmired Coppola’s bold attempt to create something unique. While some felt the film was too long and shallow, others highlighted its stunning visuals.
4A Slow Start at the Box Office
Megalopolishad a rocky start at the box office, bringing in only$4 millionduring its opening weekend. This was a stark contrast to the success of DreamWorks’ animated featureThe Wild Robot, which topped the charts with around $35 million in ticket sales.
Asthe movie looks to finish in sixth place, it finds itself trailing behind several films that have been in theaters for weeks. This includesDevara Part 1, a Telugu-language film that managed to earn about $5.6 million in its debut weekend.
“I will vigorously defend my reputation”: Francis Ford Coppola Goes for the Head, Sues Variety for $15 Million Over Disgusting ‘Megalopolis’ Rumors
Despite the disappointing numbers, Coppola remains unfazed by the film’s financial struggles. He expressed his perspective in an interview with the Associated Press viaIndependent, saying,“Everyone’s so worried about money. I say: Give me less money and give me more friends.”
3Box Office Competition
In a surprising turn at the box office, Universal and DreamWorks Animation’sThe Wild Robottook the top spot, earning about $35 million from nearly 4,000 theaters. In contrast, Francis Ford Coppola’s highly anticipated movieMegalopolishad a disappointing opening, bringing in only $4 million from 1,854 locations across North America.
“Well, I lost it”: Francis Ford Coppola Took 40 Years for Megalopolis But Stephen King Took 45 Years to Write One Story
Megalopolisdid not meet expectations, which had projected an opening between $5 million and $7 million. This is especially concerning given its large budget of $120 million. To make matters worse, the film received poor reviews, earning a “D+” grade from CinemaScore.
2Nathalie Emmanuel’s Underwhelming Performance
InMegalopolis, most actors deliver strong performances that fit the movie’s style, but Nathalie Emmanuel’s role as Julia Cicero stands out for thewrong reasons. Although she tried to give a strong performance to match the film’s wild script, it didn’t work. Instead of adding to the movie, her acting felt annoying and distracting, taking away from the great work of Adam Driver, who played Cesar.
1Coppola’s $120 Million Gamble on Megalopolis
Francis Ford Coppola, at 85 years old, spent many years onMegalopolis. To fund the project, he even sold part of his winery, raising about $120 million for production and an additional $20 million for marketing. Despite his efforts, the film struggled to attract audiences. Estimates showed that ticket sales only reached around $4 million in North America, which was even lower than the worst-case expectations.
Sakshi Singh
Articles Published :1435
Sakshi Singh has written over 1,300 entertainment articles, mostly about Netflix shows and reality TV. She’s spent the last two years covering everything from surprise engagements to shocking eliminations and previously wrote for Essentially Sports in their Netflix Junkie division. A self-proclaimed reality TV addict, Sakshi has watched all 48 seasons of Survivor and never misses a new dating or competition series. She loves watching how strangers meet, fall in love, team up, or betray each other - it’s the mix of strategy and drama that keeps her hooked. When she’s not glued to a reality show, she’s usually watching a crime thriller or tracking the next big streaming hit.
More from Sakshi Singh
The Summer I Turned Pretty Theory Proves Jenny Han’s Name Game Ruins Season 3 Finale
Is Dept. Q Renewed for Season 2? Status Details of the Matthew Goode Show
Dwayne Johnson’s 37%-Rated Netflix Flop Didn’t Stop Him From Surpassing Peacemaker’s John Cena as a Better Wrestler-Turned-Actor
Recommended
Every Makoto Shinkai Main Character Ranked From Worst to Best
‘Lord of Mysteries’ and ‘To Be Hero X’ Are Giving ‘One Piece’ a Massive Reality Check
10 Actors You Didn’t Know Were in Smallville: From Dave Bautista to Cobie Smulders
NYT Connections Hints and Solution for July 16, 2025
Toei Animation May Have Lost Its Touch After ‘One Piece’s Hiatus
Top 5 Best Time Skips in Anime
Adam DriverFrancis Ford Coppolanathalie emmanuel
