The Success Story of Napoleon & Killers Of The Flower Moon After Box Office Challenges
Discover how these costly productions turned their fortunes around to become profitable hits despite initial setbacks.
Despite underperforming at the box office, a recent report indicates that both Napoleon and Killers of the Flower Moon have managed to be profitable. These two Apple original movies are grand historical productions created by renowned filmmakers. Ridley Scott directed Napoleon, which received mixed reviews, while Martin Scorsese directed Killers of the Flower Moon, receiving widespread acclaim. Despite their box office disappointments, Napoleon made $221 million and Killers of the Flower Moon made $156.4 million.
According to a new report from Variety, Napoleon and Killers of the Flower Moon have ultimately proven to be profitable thanks to revenue from other sources. Despite not being major hits in theaters, both films have been successful in the world of Video On Demand (VOD). They both ranked in the top 10 list of highest-grossing movies on the Apple app store, with Killers of the Flower Moon even holding the number one spot for almost a month. Although Napoleon was just released on Apple TV Plus, Scorsese's film attracted subscribers and became the most-watched movie on the platform within its first 45 days.
Napoleon & Killers Of The Flower Moon's Box Office Performance Explained
Why The Epic Apple Productions Underperformed In Theaters
Joaquin Phoenix with a straight face as Napoleon in his military uniform - Why The Epic Apple Productions Underperformed In Theaters - Napoleon & Killers Of The Flower Moon's Box Office Performance Explained
Scott's film on the famous French emperor Napoleon had a budget of over $200 million, excluding additional expenses like marketing and theater fees. Despite a strong performance by Joaquin Phoenix, the movie received mixed reviews right from the start and failed to connect with viewers. The chart below indicates that Napoleon lacked the necessary buzz to attract audiences to theaters.
Title | Budget | Rotten Tomatoes Critics' Score | Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score | Box Office |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Napoleon | $200 Million | 58% | 59% | $221 million |
Killers of the Flower Moon | $215 million | 93% | 84% | $157 million |
Killers of the Flower Moon received high praise in early reviews, with some calling it a "masterpiece" and highlighting the stellar performances of Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Lily Gladstone. Despite outperforming Napoleon on Rotten Tomatoes, Metacritic, and IMDb, the movie did not do as well at the box office. This could be due to its nearly three and a half hour runtime and its serious, slow-paced historical storyline, which may have turned off some viewers from watching it in theaters.
Combined with Argylle, another expensive Apple original movie, the studio has clearly had a disappointing string of films in terms of box office. As evidenced by the most recent report, however, box office isn't everything, and these films continue have value on VOD platforms and as residents on Apple TV Plus.
While Napoleon and Killers of the Flower Moon have crawled into profitability, Argylle and its $92.4 million box office means that the Matthew Vaughn actioner is unlikely to enjoy the same fate.
Editor's P/S:
Despite their underwhelming box office performances, "Napoleon" and "Killers of the Flower Moon" have emerged as financial successes through revenue from streaming platforms. Their strong VOD performance demonstrates the growing importance of digital distribution in the film industry. While these films may not have garnered the same level of theatrical acclaim, they have found a loyal audience on streaming services, highlighting the evolving viewing habits of consumers.
It's worth noting that the production costs of these films, particularly "Napoleon" with its hefty budget, have been a significant factor in their financial viability. The ability to recoup these costs through alternative revenue streams, such as VOD, has allowed these films to turn a profit despite their theatrical underperformance.
