‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One’ Falls Short of Box Office Expectations
In a somewhat lackluster start at the domestic box office, ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One’ claimed the top spot while falling short of initial expectations. The latest installment in the long-running franchise, starring Tom Cruise, grossed $56.2 million over the weekend, failing to reach the projected $60 million or more and falling behind previous films in the series.
Released on Wednesday instead of the usual Friday, ‘Dead Reckoning Part One’ generated an estimated $80 million in its first five days, surpassing the opening earnings of ‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’ and ‘Mission: Impossible II’ by a narrow margin. With a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an “A” CinemaScore, the film is expected to maintain its strong performance throughout the summer.
However, the movie is currently on par with ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,’ which debuted to $60 million over the standard weekend and garnered $82 million during the extended holiday frame. Despite the positive reviews and audience reception, ‘Indy 5’ has not shown staying power at the box office, with domestic ticket sales totaling $136 million and worldwide earnings at $263 million.
To avoid a similar fate, ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One’ will need a lengthy and successful theatrical run. The film, with its jaw-dropping action sequences and a production budget exacerbated by COVID-related disruptions, may result in a more cost-effective sequel next summer with ‘Dead Reckoning Part Two.’
Internationally, the seventh ‘Mission: Impossible’ has fared better, grossing $155 million, albeit with a relatively weak showing in China at $25.4 million. Its worldwide tally of $235 million marks the franchise’s biggest global debut. David A. Gross, head of the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research, emphasizes that while the domestic opening is average for an action thriller series, overseas markets are where such films excel.
Historically, ‘Mission: Impossible’ movies have demonstrated remarkable staying power, with ‘Fallout’ opening to $61 million but ultimately grossing a franchise record-setting $791 million globally. Nevertheless, the film will face strong competition next weekend from Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ and Greta Gerwig’s ‘Barbie,’ leading to an unlikely showdown between two contrasting genres. The clash between the films has gained significant attention online, even resulting in moviegoers booking double features of the two movies.
In other box office news, the faith-based film ‘Sound of Freedom’ claimed second place in its second weekend, grossing $25 million and accumulating an impressive $83 million overall. Sony’s horror-thriller ‘Insidious: The Red Door’ dropped to third place with $13 million, while ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ and Disney/Pixar’s ‘Elemental’ rounded out the top five.
The industry will closely watch whether ‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One’ can defy the odds and maintain a successful box office run, leveraging repeat business and global audiences. With its historical track record, the franchise remains a force to be reckoned with, and Cruise’s teflon operative, Ethan Hunt, is no stranger to overcoming obstacles.
