Hugh Jackman's latest cinematic gamble, The Death of Robin Hood, has met a grim fate at the box office. The A24 dark fantasy epic, which reimagines the legendary outlaw as a grizzled, aging warrior, opened to a paltry $4.2 million domestically over the weekend—far below even the most pessimistic projections. For a film starring one of Hollywood's most bankable leading men and backed by the indie powerhouse behind Everything Everywhere All at Once, this is a staggering misfire.
Directed by Michael Sarnoski (Pig), the film takes a radically different approach to the Sherwood Forest mythos. Jackman plays a weathered Robin Hood haunted by his violent past, struggling to find redemption in a world that has moved on from his brand of heroism. Early reviews have been sharply divided: some praise its gritty, arthouse sensibility and Jackman's committed performance, while others criticize its slow pace and bleak tone. Audiences, it seems, have largely stayed away.
A24's Risky Bet on Dark Fantasy
A24 has built a reputation for taking bold creative swings, from horror hits like Hereditary to Oscar darlings like Moonlight. But The Death of Robin Hood may be a swing too far into niche territory. The film's grim, meditative style—more akin to a character study than a swashbuckling adventure—proved a tough sell for mainstream crowds. Even with Jackman's star power, the movie failed to connect with the broad audience needed to justify its reported $50 million budget.
This isn't the first time a high-concept A24 release has stumbled. However, the studio's track record of nurturing cult classics means The Death of Robin Hood could still find a second life. For now, though, the numbers are sobering. The film earned just $1.5 million on Friday, with a steep drop-off over the weekend, suggesting weak word-of-mouth.
Jackman's Box Office Rollercoaster
Jackman, best known for his iconic turn as Wolverine, has had a mixed run at the box office outside the superhero realm. While Les Misérables and The Greatest Showman were massive hits, projects like Reminiscence and Bad Education failed to ignite. Interestingly, his recent musical drama Song Sung Blue found a second wind on Netflix, as we reported in our coverage. That streaming success suggests audiences may be more willing to embrace Jackman's riskier work from the comfort of home.
The failure of The Death of Robin Hood also highlights the challenges of marketing dark fantasy to a general audience. Unlike the family-friendly adventures of Robin Hood animated classics, this version is unrelentingly somber. It's a tough sell in a summer dominated by blockbusters like Toy Story 5, which left Pixar's Elio in the dust, as we noted in our box office analysis.
What Went Wrong?
Several factors contributed to the film's disappointing debut. The R rating limited the potential audience, while the lack of recognizable supporting stars (the cast includes relative unknowns alongside Jackman) failed to generate additional buzz. Moreover, the film's marketing campaign leaned heavily on cryptic, artsy trailers that left many casual moviegoers confused about what the film actually was.
For fans of underrated fantasy series, The Death of Robin Hood might eventually earn a place among the gems that deserve a second look. We've compiled a list of 7 underrated fantasy series that similarly struggled initially but later found devoted audiences. Whether this film joins those ranks remains to be seen.
In the meantime, A24 is likely hoping for a slow burn. The studio has a history of nurturing films that start small but grow through word-of-mouth and awards buzz. But with a $50 million price tag, The Death of Robin Hood faces an uphill climb to profitability. For now, it stands as one of the year's most notable box office casualties—a bold vision that couldn't find its audience.
