The low-budget horror film seems to have made profits despite negative reviews.

Despite big stars such as Henry Cavill and Ryan Gosling having blockbuster releases this year, the first half of 2024 seems to be a lackluster year for Hollywood. The industry has seen many sure-shot films bomb at the box office this year. While Dune: Part Two remains the highest-grossing film of the year, it was released in March.

Films such as The Fall Guy and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, which were touted to be huge hits have all taken a huge loss at the box office, making studios reconsider their strategies. Making it worse is the success of small-budget films such as Tarot, which has become the year’s most profitable film with a $45 million box office against an $8 million budget.

Henry Cavill And Ryan Gosling’s Flops Worsen After Tarot’s Success

Henry Cavill in The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare | Credits: Black Bear Pictures/Jerry Bruckheimer Films/Toff Guy Films/Red Sea Film Fund/C2 Motion Picture Group/Media Capital Technologies/Plus Studio

On paper, many of the big releases of 2024 were perfectly suited to win the box office. Huge stars such as Henry Cavill, Ryan Gosling, Anya Taylor-Joy, and more were attached to these projects, legacy directors such as Guy Ritchie, George Miller, and David Leitch were helming the films, and they were action-heavy films that were sure to attract large crowds.

However, the films The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Fall Guy, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga have all had less than stellar box office performances. While Furiosa is still having its theatrical run, Ryan Gosling’s The Fall Guy, which was probably the most anticipated summer blockbuster tapped out at $165 million and had a digital release 18 days after its theatrical (via IGN).

Ryan Gosling in The Fall Guy | Credits: 87North Productions/Entertainment 360

Henry Cavill had two releases this year, the spy comedy Argylle which was directed by Matthew Vaughn, and Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. Both films seemed to have poor box office numbers. Argyle grossed $96 million globally against a $200 million budget while Guy Ritchie’s film earned $25 million against a $60 million budget (via Box Office Mojo and The Numbers).

Worsening the loss is the horror film Tarot, which has raked up $45 million at the box office despite negative reviews. The Harriet Slater and Avantika Vandanapu starrer was made at a budget of $8 million, making it the most profitable film of the year. The film was released along with Ryan Gosling’s The Fall Guy on May 1 (via The Numbers).

What Does Tarot’s Success Say About Hollywood Biggies?

A still from Tarot | Credits: Screen Gems/Alloy Entertainment/Ground Control

While last year’s ‘Barbenheimer’ success proved to be a huge comeback for the film industry, Hollywood seems to have lost that momentum this year. The summer, which was usually reserved for superhero films seemed to have none this year, leaving room for other blockbusters like Ryan Gosling’s The Fall Guy to cash in on the season.

Despite positive reviews, the film failed to capitalize on its impressive star cast, noted IP, and proven director. The action blockbuster was reportedly made on a budget of $150 million, earning only $165 million. Its competitor Tarot had a much better theatrical run comparatively as its small budget ended up making it more profitable.

The success of Tarot and other small-budget films such as Civil War and Challengers has proved that Hollywood needs to reevaluate what it invests in. All previously set formulae for success have been destroyed and a different strategy needs to be employed by studios.

The sole Marvel film of the year Deadpool and Wolverine is set to open on July 26 and all eyes are on the film. It has all the potential to be a huge blockbuster due to the presence of Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, and multiple rumored cameos.