Mel Gibson‘s “Flight Risk” has become a notable disappointment at the global box office, signaling the end of a remarkable success streak that lasted for three decades. Despite featuring Mark Wahlberg in an unusual villain role, the film has only managed to earn $34.66 million worldwide since its release on January 24, 2025, according to Box Office Mojo. Although performances by Michelle Dockery and Topher Grace provide some hope for “Flight Risk,” the film’s poor box office returns highlight a dramatic downturn in Gibson’s directing legacy.
With “Flight Risk” set to be available for purchase and rental on digital VOD starting February 14, 2025, there remains a slim chance that this collaboration between Wahlberg and Gibson might find a second life as an at-home streaming success. Recent films, such as Kevin Costner‘s “Horizon: An American Saga – Chapter 1,” have experienced greater success on smaller screens than in theaters, and “Flight Risk” appears to be hoping to follow this trend. However, the film’s failure to perform at the box office has already cast a shadow over Gibson’s impressive track record.
Since the release of his iconic film, “Braveheart,” in 1995, every movie directed by Gibson has grossed over $100 million at the box office until now. With “Flight Risk,” which is inching closer to a $35 million total ahead of its VOD debut, Gibson’s three-decade streak of blockbusters has abruptly come to an end. As the figures stand, “Flight Risk” may not even surpass Gibson’s directorial debut, the modestly performing “The Man Without a Face,” which earned $36.6 million globally.
Critically, “Flight Risk” has not fared well either, holding a low Rotten Tomatoes score of 29%, the lowest of any of Gibson’s films. This stark performance has made “Flight Risk” the worst-performing and lowest-rated movie in Gibson’s directing career, an astonishing turn considering the accolades surrounding his previous project, “Hacksaw Ridge.” With “The Passion of the Christ” still reigning as his box office titan at $612 million, the dip in fortunes for Gibson is both alarming and significant.
The general audience’s expectation was not for an Oscar-worthy film from “Flight Risk,” especially considering the film’s seemingly lighthearted trailer. Rather, it was meant to be an entertaining action thriller, a genre characterized by escapism. Yet despite this, the film failed to ignite any enthusiasm during the typically lackluster late-January box office, marking a regrettable entry in Gibson’s directing history.
For Wahlberg, his portrayal of the villain in “Flight Risk” may not drastically change the trajectory of his career. Despite this, there is a potential opportunity for him to explore more antagonist roles in future films, ideally ones paired with a serious and engaging narrative. However, Wahlberg’s recent projects have seen a mixed reception, with titles like “The Union” (2024), “Me Time” (2022), and “Infinite” (2021) receiving poor ratings.
Similar action thrillers to “Flight Risk” have captivated audiences with their thrilling plots, and Wahlberg continues to possess box office appeal, especially if he reverts to starring in more conventional leading roles. His upcoming project, Shane Black’s “Play Dirty,” might provide him the boost he desperately needs to recover from this setback.
Looking ahead for Gibson, the uncertainty of future directing projects looms large, particularly if his sequel to “The Passion of the Christ” fails to materialize. Should “Flight Risk” mark a definitive decline in his career, fans hope he can return to the same vein of creativity that produced Oscar-winning films like “Braveheart” and “Hacksaw Ridge,” and rise once more from this disappointing phase in his directing journey.
