Movie

The lukewarm critical and audience response to the fifth and final installment in the adventure-action series is partly blamed for the lackluster start of approximately $60 million domestically.

• Jul 3, 2023

AceShowbiz - Turns out the fate of the latest installment of the "Indiana Jones" film series isn't as bright as some have expected. Billed as the conclusion of Indy's decades-long adventure, "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" was met with lukewarm response upon its release on June 30.

The fifth and final installment in the adventure-action film franchise has a weak opening with an estimated $60 million ahead of the Fourth of July holiday despite coming in the first place on North American box office. The movie starring Harrison Ford in the titular role is expected to finish Tuesday with a domestic total of $82 million.

The James Mangold-directed film also struggles overseas, bagging $70 million for a lackluster global start of $130 million. The U.K. led with $8.9 million and France, where "Dial of Destiny" made its world premiere during the Cannes Film Festival, follows at No. 2.

For "Dial of Destiny", the challenge has always been about attracting new, younger fans in addition those who grew up on the franchise. TheWrap claimed that Americans under the age of 30 had a "much lower presence in ticket presales compared to the average summer tentpole."

"This is a weak opening," says David A. Gross, who runs the movie consulting firm Franchise Entertainment Research. "Most action-adventure series finish by episode five and that's happening here."

Meanwhile, Paul Dergarabedian, the senior media analyst for Comscore, keeps a positive attitude as saying, "It's impressive that a franchise that's over 40 years old is No. 1 at the box office. But there's no question there were higher hopes for the debut of this movie. This is 'Indiana Jones'. This is a summer movie icon."

Also opening over the pre-July Fourth weekend is DreamWorks Animation and Universal's "Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken", which tanks with an estimated $5.2 million and places sixth on the chart domestically.

"Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" is back on the runner-up spot after reclaiming the first place last week. It added an estimated $11.5 million for a current domestic total of $339.9 million. The "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" sequel has swung past the $600 million mark worldwide after hitting $267.4 million overseas.

"Elemental" follows at No. 3 with approximately $11.3 million, followed by "No Hard Feelings" which holds on to the fourth place with an estimated $7.5 million. "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" trails behind at No. 5 with approximately $7 million, while "The Flash" plunges from No. 3 to No. 8 with an estimated $5 million after a dismal start.

Top 10 of North America Box Office (June 30-July 02, 2023):

1. "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny" - $60 million
2. "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" - $11.5 million
3. "Elemental" - $11.3 million
4. "No Hard Feelings" - $7.5 million
5. "Transformers: Rise of the Beasts" - $7 million
6. "Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken" - $5.2 million
7. "The Little Mermaid (2023)" - $5.15 million
8. "The Flash" - $5 million
9. "Asteroid City" - $3.8 million
10. "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" - $1.8 million