Kiss of the Spider Woman has sprawling musical numbers, a Broadway pedigree, and features famous actors, yet the film bombed at the weekend box office.
Based on the Tony Award-winning musical by the same name, the movie version stars Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna and Tonatiuh Elizarraraz, who goes by the stage name Tonatiuh.
Despite the film’s star power, final figures released Monday by Comscore showed it opened in 12th place at the box office, after earning a disappointing $891,046.
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Roadside Attractions released the film in 1,331 locations, but it only made an average $669 per theater.
In comparison, Taylor Swift’s Life of a Showgirl album release film played last weekend for a three-day only special event, and earned $33.0 million from 3,700 locations. Its per theater average was $8,914.
Kiss of the Spider Woman tells the story of Valentín (Diego Luna), a political prisoner locked in a cell with Molina (Tonatiuh), a window dresser convicted of public indecency. The two form an unlikely bond as Molina recounts the plot of of his favorite Hollywood musical starring silver screen diva Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez).
A 1985 movie adaptation of the musical starred William Hurt, Raul Julia, and Sonia Braga. That film cost about $1.5 million to produce, and earned $17 million at the worldwide box office, making it a success.
This latest version may not be so lucky. With a reported production budget of $30 million, the film opened far below analyst expectations of $1.5 million to $3 million.
Critics gave the film solid reviews and a 78% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus saying it “showcases beauty in tragedy through wondrous performances.”
Oscar-winning filmmaker Bill Condon (Dreamgirls, Chicago, Gods and Monsters) directed the movie. But even with his impressive credentials, it’s unlikely Kiss of the Spider Woman will find enough of an audience to turn a profit.
Elsewhere at the weekend box office, science fiction action film Tron: Ares opened in first place with $33.2 million, Comscore reported Monday.
Second place went to caper film Roofman, starring Channing Tatum and Kirsten Dunst. It opened with $8.1 million.
Writer and director Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another was third with $6.8 million in its third weekend of release.
Dreamworks’ live-action musical fantasy comedy, Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie, came in fourth place with $3.4 million in its third weekend.
It was followed by the faith-based drama Soul on Fire, which debuted with $3.1 million. The film from director Sean McNamara stars Joel Courtney, John Corbett, and William H. Macy.
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