While 2024 has seen numerous films generate buzz for off-screen controversies, “Megalopolis” has become the most debated topic of the year. Anticipation surrounded Coppola’s return to the big screen, but it quickly became the center of negative attention.
From its Cannes premiere, the picture faced daily controversies, starting with accusations from crew members about the filmmaker’s behavior on set. This was followed by many other harsh remarks, with the most aggresive ones being those directed towards an AI-generated trailer featuring misleading quotes about his past work.
With such negative marketing, expectations for its box office debut were mixed, leading to speculation about whether bad press would attract audiences or keep them away. The results from its opening weekend have now revealed the truth.
How did ‘Megalopolis’ perform in its first weekend?
According to Variety, “Megalopolis” fell short of its initial projections of $5 million to $7 million in ticket sales during its opening weekend, grossing only $4 million across 7,854 North American theaters. This performance places it in sixth place behind three holdover productions and “Devara: Part 1”.
The film received mixed reviews, earning a disappointing “D+” grade on CinemaScore, which lowered audience interest. Despite this, producers hoped that the negative press would spark curiosity among potential viewers, but the numbers suggest otherwise.
Internationally, the picture may perform better, as the controversies surrounding it will not impact its reception there as severely. However, the poor performance in the U.S. is likely to be a black mark on Coppola’s career.
The director remains proud of his long-held vision, stating that all negative rumors aimed to sabotage the project from day one. Adam Driver, who leads the story, also expressed his support for the creator, stating that filming “Megalopolis” was one of the best experiences of his career.