AceShowbiz - Two major highlights stood out at the global box office last weekend: the release of Scream 7, which became the highest-grossing film in its 30-year franchise, and the milestone achievement of Hamnet surpassing $100 million in earnings. The success of Hamnet was further bolstered by star Jessie Buckley winning an Academy Award for her leading role, while Scream 7 set a new franchise record within just two weeks of release. Meanwhile, Pixar’s Hoppers held the top spot domestically for the second consecutive week, and Colleen Hoover scored a hat-trick of hits with Reminders of Him. However, amid these successes, a less glamorous box office record was quietly broken.

Chris Hemsworth’s Crime 101, directed by Bart Layton, has now out-earned the lifetime domestic gross of one of the past decade and a half’s most celebrated cult classics. With over $35 million domestically and more than $65 million worldwide, Crime 101 has surpassed the total domestic revenue of Drive, the 2011 neo-noir that starred Ryan Gosling. Despite receiving positive reviews, Crime 101, which was released on February 13, has struggled to recoup its reported $90 million production budget. This shortfall represents a setback not only for Hemsworth but also for co-stars Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry.

Hemsworth’s box office challenges outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are notable. His leading roles in major franchises such as Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Ghostbusters: Answer the Call, and Men in Black: International underperformed commercially. Nevertheless, he has found success in the streaming arena, with hits like Extraction and its sequel on Netflix.

Regarding the cult classic Drive, it maintains an impressive 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, reflecting its enduring critical acclaim. Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, the film featured a strong ensemble cast including Carey Mulligan, Oscar Isaac, Albert Brooks, and Bryan Cranston. Against a modest $15 million budget, Drive grossed $35 million in the U.S. and over $80 million worldwide. Its stylish neon-lit visuals and synth soundtrack helped cement the film as one of the most influential of the last 15 years, while also playing a pivotal role in elevating Gosling to international stardom.

The recent box office success of Crime 101 means it has now eclipsed Drive domestically, despite the latter’s lasting cultural impact and critical success. Crime 101 holds a "Certified Fresh" 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, indicating strong reviews, though its financial performance has yet to meet expectations.

Looking ahead, Gosling is preparing for his most significant lead role to date in the upcoming sci-fi epic Project Hail Mary, which is scheduled to debut this week. Additionally, he is set to star in Star Wars: Starfighter next year, further expanding his career into major franchise territory. Fans and industry watchers alike are encouraged to stay tuned for more updates on these projects.

While Crime 101’s commercial performance highlights the unpredictable nature of box office success, the persistent admiration for Drive underscores the lasting power of cult classics in shaping careers and cinema culture. Both films, distinct in style and reception, illustrate the complex dynamics between critical acclaim and financial returns in today’s film industry landscape.