The fourth installment of the Expendables franchise, Expend4bles, seems to be facing an uphill battle at the box office despite the star-studded cast.
The action-packed sequel, which had fans waiting with cautious optimism, has turned in a lackluster opening weekend, raking in just a little over $8 million at the box office. This figure is a far cry from the franchise's glory days and reflects the waning interest in the series.
The film's performance during its Thursday previews was particularly telling. Grossing a mere $750,000, Expend4bles is lagging well behind even its "worst" predecessor, The Expendables 3, which managed to pull in $875,000 back in 2014. And if we recall, that installment didn't exactly set the box office on fire by the end of its run.
While the Expendables series has historically found a more receptive audience overseas, the current trajectory suggests that even international fans might be giving this one a miss. The film's lukewarm reception is further underscored by its underwhelming 14% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics haven't been kind either, with some labeling it the "worst" entry in the franchise.
The Expendables franchise, fronted by Sylvester Stallone, began as a nostalgic nod to veteran action stars. The first film, released in 2010, was a commercial success, grossing $103 million domestically and a whopping $268 million worldwide.
