Sydney Sweeney’s Latest Movie Is a Certified Box Office Flop

Sydney Sweeney’s new movie, Americana, is having a rough time at the box office. The film stars Sweeney as Penny Jo Poplin and Paul Walter Hauser as Lefty Ledbetter. It tells the story of South Dakota locals whose lives get tangled in violence after they discover a rare Lakotan Ghost shirt.

The movie first premiered in 2023 and was released widely in theaters on August 15, 2025.

Critics liked the film, but audiences didn’t seem as interested. Americana earned a 69% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes, while Metacritic gave it a 61 out of 100, which is considered “generally favorable”.

Popcornmeter has not given the movie a score yet because fewer than 50 verified audience ratings have been submitted. The limited reaction from viewers shows in its box office numbers.

The movie opened in 1,100 theaters, but the results have been disappointing. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Americana is expected to make about $840,000 this weekend. That works out to roughly $460 per theater, which would put it in 16th place at the box office. At that rank, it wouldn’t appear on most weekend charts.

Americana is a crime thriller and marks Tony Tost’s first film as both writer and director. The cast also includes Halsey, Eric Dane, Zahn McClarnon, Simon Rex, Gavin Maddox Bergman, Derek Hinkey, Toby Huss, Harriet Sansom Harris, and Donald Cerrone. Filming took place in New Mexico in 2022.

The film had its world premiere at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival in 2023. Lionsgate later acquired distribution rights and decided to release it on August 15, 2025, a week earlier than the original plan.

The story focuses on people in South Dakota whose lives collide while fighting over a pricey ghost shirt. While critics appreciated the performances and direction, the audience turnout shows the movie isn’t resonating with general viewers.

Despite the strong cast and early critical praise, Americana’s poor box office debut highlights how even well-reviewed films can struggle in theaters. With stiff competition from other releases like Nobody 2, the movie has not been able to capture widespread attention. According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Americana’s numbers reflect the challenge of bringing smaller, adult-oriented films to a crowded market.”

While the film may find a second life through streaming or digital release, its theatrical debut has been painful. For Sydney Sweeney and the cast, Americana is a reminder that positive reviews don’t always guarantee box office success.

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