Despite wide release and a star turn, the boxing biopic opens to a dismal $1.3 million — sparking tough questions about its future.

Comeback That Didn’t Land

November 10, 2025: Sydney Sweeney’s latest film Christy—in which she plays boxing legend Christy Martin—opened in more than 2,000 U.S. theatres on November 7. Expectations were high: a dramatic true-story, a major transformation for Sweeney and strong festival buzz. Instead, the film grossed just $1.3 million in its opening weekend, averaging about $649 per theatre. The result? A rare “flop” status for a wide release and one of the worst openings ever in its category.

Why the Shockwave?

Several factors turned this opening into a cautionary tale:

A familiar star doesn’t always guarantee a box-office draw—Sweeney has had major success age-writes past, but her recent releases hadn’t consistently connected.

The film released wide amidst a saturated marketplace of big studio tent-poles and prestige dramas fighting for the same audience.

Marketing and positioning may have mis-aligned with audience expectations: the film’s tone, pacing and subject matter (a woman’s boxing biography) may have made it harder to attract the mainstream theatre-going crowd.

The Career Impact for Sweeney

This opening marks her third 2025 theatrical release to falter in a major way, raising questions about how she’ll navigate back toward box-office viability. With her name more associated with television hits and streaming at present, the theatrical track may need recalibration.

What’s Next for ‘Christy’?

Rather than being theatrically triumphant, the film will likely shift quickly toward digital, streaming and international markets where audience dynamics differ. While opening weekend is a major indicator, it doesn’t tell the full story—but the starting point is undeniably rocky.

For Sweeney, while this is a stumble, it doesn’t define her entire career—but it will most likely influence the types of roles, studios and release strategies she pursues going forward.

This story underscores a larger truth in Hollywood: even big names and serious roles don’t guarantee success at the box office. Audiences, timing, marketing and broader context all matter hugely.