Francis Ford Coppola’s ambitious sci-fi epic Megalopolis debuted to underwhelming numbers, earning just $4 million at the box office during its opening weekend. The film opened at No. 6, trailing behind the Indian Telugu-language action hit Devara: Part 1.
Starring Adam Driver, Megalopolis fell short of its initial opening weekend projections of $5–$7 million and made a modest return from 1,854 theaters across North America. With a hefty $120 million budget, entirely financed by Coppola himself, the film’s performance marks a significant disappointment.
Industry analysts have pointed to several challenges, including mixed critical reviews and ineffective marketing strategies. AI-generated quotes attributed to film critics further compounded the negative reception. “The movie is an ambitious, personal vision. Sometimes a film like this beats the odds and makes a lot of money,” noted David A. Gross of Franchise Entertainment Research. “This one is not working. The result is going to be a big tax write-off.”
An Ambitious Vision That Struggled to Find an Audience
Set in a futuristic America, Megalopolis stars Adam Driver as an architect striving to rebuild a city called New Rome after a disaster. His efforts are thwarted by the city’s mayor, played by Giancarlo Esposito, who wages a smear campaign against him.
Despite Coppola’s storied career, which includes directing classics like The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, Megalopolis struggled to connect with audiences. While the film’s bold premise was praised by some, its execution and marketing left many unimpressed.
The film’s disappointing debut raises questions about the future of passion projects in an increasingly franchise-driven industry. For Coppola, Megalopolis was a deeply personal project decades in the making. However, its lukewarm reception may lead to significant financial losses for the acclaimed filmmaker.