Mark Wahlberg has been a fixture in Hollywood for decades, but lately, his theatrical releases haven't been connecting with audiences. His newest crime thriller, By Any Means, hit theaters this past weekend and pulled in just $8 million domestically, according to studio estimates. That's a soft opening that continues a frustrating trend for the actor, who has seen several recent projects underwhelm both critically and commercially.
The film, which also stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, was positioned as a potential comeback for Wahlberg in the action-thriller space. But the numbers tell a different story. The $8 million debut is actually $4 million less than the opening of his previous theatrical release, Flight Risk, which bowed in January 2025 with $11.5 million. That Mel Gibson-directed thriller went on to earn $48 million worldwide against a $25 million budget—hardly a blockbuster.
Wahlberg's recent track record has been rocky, to say the least. Before Flight Risk, he starred in a string of streaming titles that failed to generate much buzz, including the Prime Video heist film Play Dirty, the sequel The Family Plan 2, and the soccer comedy Balls Up. None of those made a significant impact, and critics were largely unimpressed.
With By Any Means, the hope was that a return to the big screen would reignite his box office mojo. The film has earned mixed reviews, sitting at a 52% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One critic called it “a mess of a thing,” while another described it as “as crass and morally repugnant as any movie made this year.” However, audiences have been more forgiving, giving it an 89% average score on the same platform.
Part of the challenge for By Any Means is the competition it faced. It debuted during the unprecedented run of Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which has dominated the domestic box office for six consecutive weeks. The Marvel blockbuster has already grossed $2.4 billion worldwide and $923 million domestically, and it's closing in on Star Wars: The Force Awakens to become the highest-grossing film in U.S. history. That kind of juggernaut leaves little room for other titles to find an audience.
For Wahlberg, the road ahead may require a shift in strategy. While he's still a recognizable name, the theatrical landscape has changed, and audiences are more selective than ever. His upcoming projects, including a role in Wonder Man and a Man on Fire remake, could offer new opportunities, but the pressure is on to deliver something that resonates.
If you're in the mood for a crime thriller that might have flown under the radar, check out our list of hidden gem thrillers. And for those who prefer streaming, there's always the Apple TV+ thriller Last Seen, which has been praised for its fresh take on the missing-child genre.
By Any Means is currently playing in theaters. Whether it can turn things around in the coming weeks remains to be seen, but early returns suggest Wahlberg's box office struggles are far from over.
