The latest attempt by Angel Studios to break into the mainstream box office has hit a rough patch. Angel and the Badman, a remake of the 1947 John Wayne classic, opened to less than $1 million domestically over the weekend. The film, which stars Neal McDonough, Tommy Lee Jones, and Zachary Levi, failed to crack the top ten, landing behind the 25th-anniversary re-release of Guillermo del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth.
Angel Studios, known for faith-based hits like The Chosen, has been trying to expand its reach with more mainstream genre fare. Earlier this year, the studio released the action-comedy Runner starring Alan Ritchson and Owen Wilson, which grossed around $15 million against a reported $45 million budget. Now, Angel and the Badman looks set to perform even worse, signaling a tough road ahead for the studio's ambitions.
A Star-Studded Cast and a Familiar Story
The film brings together an impressive ensemble: Neal McDonough, known for his role in Yellowstone, joins Oscar winner Tommy Lee Jones and Shazam! star Zachary Levi. The plot follows an outlaw who gets a chance at redemption after being nursed back to health by a kind, god-fearing community. It's a story that has been told before—the original John Wayne film inspired the 2003 TV movie starring Naomi Watts and, more famously, the Harrison Ford-led thriller Witness. A 2009 Hallmark Channel remake also exists.
Directed by Julio Quintana, Angel and the Badman is the second remake of the Wayne classic. Despite its pedigree, the film has been panned by critics, sitting at a 23% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it appears to have resonated with its target audience, earning a B+ CinemaScore—the highest of any film released this weekend.
Box Office Reality Check
That strong audience response didn't translate into ticket sales, though. The film's sub-$1 million debut is a stark reminder that even with a recognizable cast and a beloved source material, the theatrical market remains tough for niche releases. The weekend's top spots were dominated by holdovers like Resident Evil, which has been in theaters for over three weeks, and the surprisingly resilient Other Mommy, which defied bad reviews to overperform.
For fans of Westerns, this might be a disappointing outcome, especially given the recent resurgence of the genre on streaming. If you're looking for a Western fix, you might want to check out how these 10 Westerns reinvented the genre or revisit Taylor Sheridan's epic 1923. And for those who prefer their Westerns with a sci-fi twist, Daniel Craig's Cowboys & Aliens is heading to Netflix soon.
As Angel Studios continues to navigate its path toward mainstream success, the performance of Angel and the Badman will likely be a cautionary tale. Stay tuned for more box office updates and analysis.
