Michael Moore’s ‘Fahrenheit 11/9’ Tanks At The Box Office
Audiences are cold toMichael Moore’s newest incendiary documentary tackling the rise of the Trump administration. TheFahrenheit 11/9box office returns are looking meager, with the anti-Donald Trump documentary opening to only $3 million. While this is still a generous opening for a documentary, it’s one of Moore’s lowest openers in recent years.
Forbesreports that Michael Moore’sFahrenheit 11/9tanked in its 1,719 theater-wide release debut. Compare this to his 2004 mega-hit and the film’s thematic predecessor,Fahrenheit 9/11, which opened in 868 locations and earned $23.9 million. The Bush-era indictment of the Iraq War,Fahrenheit 9/11still retains the title of highest-grossing documentary of all time.
Here’s howFahrenheit 11/9stacks up to Moore’s other big releases:
Although it’s set to outgrossWhere to Invade Next($3.9 million in 2015/2016) and become Moore’sbiggest-grossing documentarysince 2009’sCapitalism: A Love Story($14.3 million),Fahrenheit 11/9’s poor performance may signal a shift from the era when Moore led the discussion on lightning-rod topics with his films. This despiteearly reviewspraisingFahrenheit 11/9’s powerful, if messy, message.
Bowling for ColumbineandFahrenheit 9/11both welcomed the debut of an “uncompromisingmainstreammuckraker,” Variety’s Owen Gleiberman writes, questioning if Moore has lost his audience or if we’re just tired of hearing about Donald Trump when we’re bombarded with his misdeeds every day. Either way, Moore’s name doesn’t hold the same power that it once had, andFahrenheit 11/9’s poor box office returns could be the death knell for political wide-release documentaries.
Meanwhile,Fahrenheit 11/9’s box office competition didn’t fare much better.Assassination Nationand Dan Fogelman’sLife Itselfboth opened to even less thanFahrenheit 11/9. The winner of the weekend looks to be the family-friendly horror movieThe House With a Clock in Its Walls, raking in an estimated $26.9 million.
