Desert Warrior: one of the biggest box office flops in history

Desert Warrior, the action film with a budget of a whopping $150 million, is on track to become one of the biggest flop films in history. The movie, financed by Saudi Arabia and directed by Rupert Wyatt, stars Anthony Mackie and Ben Kingsley. Despite those impressive names and high expectations, the film has struggled since release.

Budget and opening

With a budget of $150 million and an opening in 1,010 theaters across North America, hopes for Desert Warrior were high. However, the film opened to just $472,111 over the weekend, for a staggering per-theater average (PTA) of only $467. That marks the worst opening for a major film this year so far, with major implications for the movie’s financial future.

Plot and production

Desert Warrior is set in seventh-century Arabia and follows Princess Hind, who refuses to accept her fate and flees from the cruel emperor Kisra. During her escape, she is forced to team up with a legendary bandit, played by Mackie, before uniting tribes for the historic Battle of Dhi Qar. Despite the ambition to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s film industry and present the country in a positive light, the film drew a wave of negative criticism from reviewers.

Reviews and reception

Desert Warrior was met poorly, earning a 25% Rotten Tomatoes score and an IMDb rating of just 2.1/10. Critics described the film as an "extended slog of a Saudi epic." The production values were praised for their costumes and expansive scope, but that wasn’t enough to offset the bad reception. Both critics and audiences have shown little interest in the film.

Funding and the future of Saudi Arabia’s film industry

The film was financially backed by MBC Studios, which is tied to Saudi Arabia’s largest broadcaster. A majority stake in MBC is held by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has said he wants his country’s film industry to play a major role on the global market. Despite Desert Warrior’s failure, it remains unclear whether this will be the end for future big-budget films aimed at Western audiences.

The film appears stuck in a difficult situation, and it’s unclear what the fallout will be for Saudi Arabia’s film industry after this misfire. While the crown prince continues to pursue his ambitions, Desert Warrior will likely stand as a lasting lesson in the risks of investing in an ambitious film production.