A24’s ‘The Death of Robin Hood’ Is Dead on Arrival at the Box Office

Hugh Jackman’s latest movie, The Death of Robin Hood, has had a disappointing start at the US box office. The R-rated action drama is expected to earn around $2.5 million to $2.6 million during its opening weekend from 1,762 theaters across the country.

The film was released by A24 on June 19 after premiering at the Sydney Film Festival on June 12. Despite starring one of Hollywood’s biggest actors and arriving with strong interest from movie fans, the film failed to make a major impact during its first weekend.

The Death of Robin Hood is directed by Michael Sarnoski, known for Pig and A Quiet Place: Day One. The movie tells the story of Robin Hood during the final stage of his life. Alongside Jackman, the cast includes Jodie Comer, Noah Jupe, Murray Bartlett and Bill Skarsgård.

The film entered theaters during a crowded weekend. It faced competition from several high-profile releases, including Toy Story 5 and Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day. According to Deadline’s projections, The Death of Robin Hood is expected to finish outside the top five and could land at number nine on the domestic box office chart.

The opening weekend result is especially disappointing when compared to other recent Hugh Jackman releases. Industry observers note that it could become the actor’s lowest opening for a wide release since Reminiscence in 2021. That science-fiction thriller earned just $1.9 million during its debut, although it was released during the pandemic and was also available on streaming at the same time.

Audience reaction does not appear to be helping the film. CinemaScore reported that moviegoers gave The Death of Robin Hood a grade of C+, which is generally considered a weak result for a major theatrical release.

Critics have been more divided. On Rotten Tomatoes, 69 percent of 95 reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.3 out of 10. The site’s critics consensus states: “Swapping out derring-do for ultraviolence, this grim take on the merry legend of Robin Hood could use some more levity in its quiver, but its aim of exploring the complicated humanity behind a folk hero nails the target.”

Metacritic also reported a mixed response from critics. The review aggregation site gave the film a score of 60 out of 100 based on 33 reviews, indicating what it describes as “mixed or average” reviews.

Financially, the movie faces an uphill battle. Reports indicate that the production budget was around $20 million. Industry estimates suggest the film may need to earn roughly $45 million worldwide before it can become profitable in theaters.

A24 reportedly paid about $4 million for US distribution rights, according to industry reports. Even with that lower investment, the weak opening suggests that recovering costs through theatrical ticket sales alone could prove difficult.

For now, The Death of Robin Hood joins the growing list of star-driven films that have struggled to attract audiences, despite featuring well-known actors and receiving moderate reviews from critics.

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