Dreamworks' Surprising Move: Movie Heads to VOD in Record Time, Leaving Box Office Behind

DreamWorks' latest theatrical film, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken, is now available for video on demand just 18 days after its initial release and disappointing box office results. The movie follows the main character Ruby (portrayed by Lana Condor) as she navigates high school while discovering her lineage as a descendant of the kraken queens. Tasked with protecting the oceans from wicked mermaids, Ruby's journey has garnered mixed reviews and earned $34.2 million worldwide, with a production budget of $70 million.

In a recent update, Universal has confirmed the VOD release of Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken on July 18, 2023. This means that those who were waiting for the film to become available at home can now rent or purchase it on demand. The decision to release the film for home viewing after only 18 days is likely due to its lackluster performance in theaters.

Why Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Was A Box Office Disappointment

Voices of Annie Murphy and Lana Condor in Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken

Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken may have underperformed due to the numerous high-profile releases that coincided with its theatrical debut. The DreamWorks film came out on the same day as Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, which has currently earned $303.6 million. Additionally, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken faced tough competition from Elemental, another animated film from Pixar that received higher ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.

Despite its disappointing box office results, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is not alone in experiencing significant losses recently. Despite surpassing it by a considerable margin, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny only managed to recoup its budget, casting doubt on its profitability. Elemental also faces challenges of its own, having earned $313.2 million against a $200 million budget.

Given the stiff competition, the underperformance of Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken can be attributed to the declining number of people attending movie theaters. This explains the extent of its failure. DreamWorks may have the opportunity to recover their losses through the movie's release on VOD, allowing viewers to watch it from the comfort of their homes. Nevertheless, the poor performance of Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken may necessitate a reevaluation of DreamWorks' release strategy for their future films.