Saturday, February 15, 2025

Mel Gibson’s Flight Risk Soars Past $20M Despite Second Weekend Decline – Can It Break Even at the Box Office?

Mel Gibson‘s latest thriller, Flight Risk, has achieved a significant box office milestone, reaching over $20 million in domestic earnings. Released on January 24, the film features Mark Wahlberg as a mob hitman masquerading as a pilot, tasked with transporting Deputy U.S. Marshal Madolyn Harris, played by Michelle Dockery, alongside informant Winston, portrayed by Topher Grace. With an intense setting primarily inside a small aircraft, Flight Risk debuted at No. 1, boasting an impressive $11.6 million opening weekend.

Despite its strong start, Flight Risk experienced a notable decline in its second weekend. According to Deadline, it is projected to earn around $5.5 million this weekend, slipping to No. 5 on the box office chart with a concerning drop of 53%. Nevertheless, its cumulative total has exceeded $20.8 million, marking it as one of the early big hits of 2025. The film is only the third new release of the year to surpass the $20 million mark, joining its peers, Keke Palmer‘s comedy One of Them Days and the heist sequel Den of Thieves 2: Pantera.

The financial outlook for Flight Risk raises questions about its future profitability. To recoup its $25 million production budget, the film must earn approximately $62.5 million due to Hollywood’s general rule of needing to gross 2.5 times the budget to break even. With the significant drop in ticket sales observed during its second weekend, many are skeptical that it can reach this benchmark.

The challenging situation is compounded by the film’s negative reviews, reflected in a disappointing Rotten Tomatoes score of 26%. In contrast, however, the audience score stands at a more favorable 64%, indicating that while critics may not be impressed, viewers may find value in the film. This discrepancy could offer a silver lining for its performance on video-on-demand platforms after its theatrical run concludes.

Flight Risk’s initial success, buoyed by its No. 1 debut, suggests that it may still garner a strong following once viewers can access it from the comfort of their homes. If its streaming performance reflects the positive sentiment of the audience score, the film could recover from its lukewarm box office figures and find a second life in digital formats.

In conclusion, while Mel Gibson’s Flight Risk has crossed the $20 million milestone, its ability to achieve profitability remains uncertain. As it navigates a challenging theatrical landscape amid mixed reviews, the film’s future may hinge on its appeal to audiences outside the theater and its performance in home-viewing markets.

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