Why Babylon Bombed At The Box Office

Dismal reviews? Bad word-of-mouth? Or was this historical epic just a little too epic in length? Here's why Babylon bombed, and bombed big, at the box office.

#Babylon #MargotRobbie #BoxOffice

Failure to launch | 0:00
Bad reviews | 1:36
A snoozer | 2:30
A feedback loop | 3:26
Stiff competition | 4:24

[EBbaby]

It seems like there’s been a lot of “box office bombs” this year, maybe it doesn’t matter what the movie is, maybe people are struggling to pay rent and don’t have time/money to drop on seeing a film in the theatre…

[Star-Mac]

This movie gave the middle finger to the "real" Hollywood in all its dirt, grime and tragedy. I am traumatized by this movie. It's dramatic waves of dark OVERtones hit like a tsunami. Nothing in this movie was insidious nor gradual other than the looming fate of Nellie and Conrad. The second he starts walking down the long hotel corridor to his room, I knew he was going to end his life. The angle of the camera "peeking" into his room through the slightly ajar door was eerie. Nellie disappearing into the "darkness" was a haunting foreshadow of what would happen to her. The scenes with McKay were symbolic of the true underworld of Hollyweird that many of us know exists. Babylon is a profound punch in the gut. There is an element of this movie in every person's life.

[KLove]

I am willing to bet marketing has a big hand in the failure. This is the first I am hearing of this movie in recent months. Marketing can hail or fail a movie quick.

[ParzivalTheThird]

It’s 3 hours and 9 minutes long, it’s not a big shot action, fantasy or sci-fi spectacle, it’s hard R-rated, and they dropped it the day before Christmas Eve. That’s why it bombed.

I watched it the other day because a friend of a friend couldn’t make it to their screening and I was offered the ticket for free. It was absolutely amazing. Probably my best cinematic experience of the year. I’ll be going back to watch it again.

[OBDPVCR]

This movie is a masterpiece and will be a massive cult classic in the future.

[Saukingalpha]

It feels like mix of Once Upon Time In Hollywood, great Gatsby, wolf of Wall Street....

[IIconikk]

I was 1 of about 5 people that saw the movie Christmas Eve at my theater and actually enjoyed it despite 2 people walking out 20 minutes in, but I think they really shot themselves in the foot with the release date. Releasing that close to Christmas is never a recipe for a successful movie, ideally December 12-18th is when you’d wanna drop it, but obviously with avatar coming out during this time this wasn’t an option. Couple that with the overall lack of marketing and it’s no wonder nobody saw it.

[FortheLoveofMonsters]

I was really interested in it, but I had no idea what it was about and couldn't convince anyone to come with me to see it on Christmas. it's not exactly a Christmas-y movie.

[SpammytheHedgehog]

The Babylon movie should've waited a few more months to come out, because Avatar: The Way of Water was the biggest movie of 2022.

[mhmdmhmdv]

I think real problem is the horrid marketing. Even it's poster looks like a sleep inducing artsy fartsy movie (while in reality it's a very fun movie).

[jessicacarron]

It was a wild ride. Half love letter to, and half condemnation of the excess of, Hollywood.

I actually want to see it again

[AA-qbni]

Babylon is so underappreciated. My biggest regret was not seeing it in the theatres because I was so influenced by the bad reviews 😏

[AlexTTzer]

Ι went to the cinema with a friend. I was between this and one guy ritchie/statham film. The only thing I knew about Babylon was, apart from the actors, that it had very mixed reviews - most people either loved it or hated it. Once we got there we realised that the statham movie had started so our only choice was Babylon. We also realised it is a 3 hour movie and we were already kinda tired...

In the end I was barely keeping my eyes open but I just couldn't stop watching. Halfway through the movie I couldn't entirely comprehend what was happening but I knew it was intense and intriguing to watch. When the final scene was played I was left in awe, I should feel relieved because I would finally go and sleep but at the same time I felt like... I wanted more. It felt like a party that was coming to a bittersweet end. I was confused - what exactly had I watched

About a month now I have watch the movie 2 more times. I have recommended the movie to friends and family. Some love it others hate it.
I will not say what an absolute blast this movie is, especially in terms of production and soundtrack, I will only say that the mere fact that such a movie will make so different feeling come out from people is a testament of what a piece of work it is.

I have never seen so huge controversy over a movie...

[PhantomFilmAustralia]

There are people who don't care that this is an ode to the Golden Era of cinema. They pay their money to simply be entertained and get their money's worth. Besides, people are disgusted with Hollywood so it's no wonder they don't want to buy a ticket to see a movie about it.

[Munrubenmuz]

The whole underground fight thing with the freaks could have been cut and the movie would have lost nothing. The whole sequence was ridiculous.

[EverettBurger]

A Hollywood movie about the history of Hollywood. I think that time and interest has passed

[Eds.]

I watched this movie at a matinee, surrounded by senior citizens. When I bought my ticket online, the theater was empty…. One of the most absurd theatrical experiences I’ve ever had 😅

[livvyb]

Never even heard of it! It probably want the wisest decision to release it at the same time as one of the most anticipated movies in years in Avatar.

[Saints]

They failed to mention the snowstorm that hit that weekend.

[batman]

I never heard of this movie until now.