In a surprising turn of events, Mel Gibson’s new film “Flight Risk” debuted at the top of the box office, earning $12 million in its opening weekend. Despite heavy criticism from reviewers and a lackluster audience reception, the Lionsgate thriller, starring Mark Wahlberg, managed to secure the No. 1 spot. The film, which follows a pilot and an Air Marshal as they navigate the Alaskan wilderness with a fugitive, is Gibson’s first directorial project since the acclaimed “Hacksaw Ridge.”
While “Flight Risk” garnered only a 21% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and earned a “C” CinemaScore from audiences, it still outpaced competitors during a quiet January weekend. President Donald Trump recently acknowledged Gibson as a “special ambassador” to Hollywood, recognizing his contributions to the industry alongside other notable figures like Jon Voight and Sylvester Stallone.
The weekend also saw the film industry shifting its attention towards major events like the Sundance Film Festival and the delayed Oscar nominations. Many films have already completed their theatrical runs and are now looking to gain traction through streaming and video-on-demand.
In a notable gamble, A24 expanded the release of “The Brutalist,” a three-and-a-half-hour film that received 10 Academy Award nominations. Despite its extended runtime, the film managed to earn $2.9 million in wider distribution—an improvement, though still far from a blockbuster success.
Another best-picture contender, “Nickel Boys,” produced by Amazon MGM Studios, struggled to find an audience, earning just $340,171, indicating that not every nominated film is resonating with viewers.
Meanwhile, Steven Soderbergh’s horror movie “Presence,” which was shot from a ghost’s point of view and debuted with $3.4 million, also attracted attention despite being made on a modest budget.
In the meantime, familiar favorites continued to hold their ground. Disney’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” grossed $8.7 million in its sixth weekend, while the comedy “One of Them Days” performed well with a drop of only 32%, bringing in $8 million.
Overall, ticket sales from Friday through Sunday revealed both excitement and challenges in the current cinematic landscape, with a mix of innovative storytelling and traditional favorites continuing to draw audiences.
Estimated weekend box office totals are as follows:
1. “Flight Risk,” $12 million
2. “Mufasa: The Lion King,” $8.7 million
3. “One of Them Days,” $8 million
4. “Sonic the Hedgehog 3,” $5.5 million
5. “Moana 2,” $4.3 million
6. “Presence,” $3.4 million
7. “Wolf Man,” $3.4 million
8. “A Complete Unknown,” $3.1 million
9. “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera,” $3 million
10. “The Brutalist,” $2.9 million
