In 2024, the movie industry saw a striking discrepancy between critical acclaim and commercial success, as a series of films that received glowing reviews from critics failed to attract large audiences or generate significant box office earnings. While critics lauded the films for their storytelling, performances, and production values, the general public didn’t seem as enthusiastic, leading to disappointing financial returns. Below, we take a closer look at some of these critically adored yet commercially underperforming movies.
1. ‘Cabrini’ (2024) – The Tale of a Missionary’s Life
Box Office Performance:
- Gross: $19.5 million
- Budget: $50 million
- Rotten Tomatoes Scores: 90% critics score, 98% audience score
The Story:
Cabrini is a biographical drama based on the life of Francesca Cabrini, a Catholic missionary and the first American citizen to be canonized by the Catholic Church. Directed with a focus on her selfless devotion and determination, the film showcased her incredible efforts in helping immigrants in the United States, as well as her eventual canonization.
Despite an enthusiastic response from critics and audiences, Cabrini couldn’t translate its critical success into a box office hit. The movie earned just $19.5 million, barely scratching the surface of its $50 million budget, despite a wide release in over 2,850 theaters.
Why the Discrepancy?
Biographical dramas often struggle with mass appeal, especially those based on historical figures who are not widely known outside of their specific communities or interest groups. While Cabrini was praised for its faithful portrayal and powerful performances, it likely didn’t resonate enough with the general movie-going audience, leading to its commercial underperformance.
2. ‘Ordinary Angels’ (2024) – Hilary Swank’s True Story Drama
Box Office Performance:
- Gross: $19.1 million
- Budget: N/A
- Rotten Tomatoes Scores: 84% critics score
The Story:
Ordinary Angels features Hilary Swank in a drama inspired by real events, revolving around a woman’s efforts to organize a community to save the life of a young girl in need of a rare liver transplant. The film blends the emotional with the inspirational, centering on themes of compassion, selflessness, and community solidarity.
Despite positive reviews from critics, including a high 84% score on Rotten Tomatoes, Ordinary Angels only grossed about $19.1 million domestically. This result, considering the film’s strong performances and meaningful subject matter, left many puzzled as to why it wasn’t embraced more by the public.
Why the Discrepancy?
Perhaps the problem was the lack of broad appeal for a film of this genre. While the subject matter is compelling and the performances solid, stories rooted in inspirational true events often face an uphill battle at the box office, as they may not attract the attention of the general movie-going audience looking for more conventional entertainment or blockbuster fare.
3. ‘The First Omen’ (2024) – A Prequel to a Classic Horror Franchise
Box Office Performance:
- Gross: $20 million
- Budget: N/A
- Rotten Tomatoes Scores: 83% critics score
The Story:
A prequel to the 1976 horror classic The Omen, The First Omen dives into the origins of the Antichrist and the supernatural events that foreshadow the dark tale in the original film. Horror fans had high expectations, especially considering the success of the Omen franchise.
Despite an 83% critics score, which suggests it was well-received by those who saw it, The First Omen could only manage $20 million at the box office after a 3,375-theater release. This result was disappointing given the franchise’s legacy and the large audience that usually gravitates toward horror films.
Why the Discrepancy?
Horror prequels can often face a challenging dilemma—they must balance the desire to appease fans of the original while crafting a story that stands on its own merits. Unfortunately, The First Omen likely failed to generate new interest from non-fans or capture enough of the nostalgia factor to become a box office hit.
4. ‘Saturday Night’ (2024) – The Origin Story of SNL
Box Office Performance:
- Gross: $9.5 million
- Budget: $25 million
- Rotten Tomatoes Scores: 78% critics score
The Story:
Saturday Night tells the origin story of the beloved sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL), focusing on its early years and the creative minds behind the scenes that turned it into a cultural institution. With a stellar cast and a nod to fans of the show, this film seemed like a guaranteed hit.
Despite a 78% critics score and praise for its nostalgic value, the film struggled at the box office, earning just $9.5 million, far below its $25 million budget. The movie had a lot of promise, but it failed to draw large crowds into theaters.
Why the Discrepancy?
Though SNL is one of the most iconic shows in American television history, the general public may not have been as eager to see a movie centered on its early days. Comedy fans might have been looking for something more current, and the historical nature of the story may not have resonated with the younger audiences who were unfamiliar with the show’s origins.
Conclusion: A Year of Critical Darlings That Didn’t Connect
The 2024 film season proved that critical acclaim and commercial success do not always go hand in hand. Films like Cabrini, Ordinary Angels, The First Omen, and Saturday Night were widely praised by critics for their performances, direction, and unique stories. Yet, they all faced similar challenges at the box office, struggling to turn positive reviews into strong ticket sales.
In an era where the public’s attention is increasingly divided and more selective, these movies serve as a reminder that even the best-reviewed films can fail to capture widespread interest. Whether due to niche appeal, lack of marketing, or simply bad timing, these films highlight the unpredictable nature of the film industry.
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