Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 1, 2025 · Entertainment

Hollywood in Crisis: Summer Box Office Flop Tied to Labor Day Doldrums

After a weak Labor Day finish, the 2025 summer box office has been branded a 'flop. On Sunday, Weapons lead the way on a lackluster weekend earning only $10.2 million; Josh Brolin seen in a still from Weapons

HOLLYWOOD IN CRISIS: Summer Box Office Flop Leaves Industry Reeling

It's been a scorching summer for Hollywood, but not in a good way. Despite the sun beating down on moviegoers, ticket sales have been as dry as the Sahara desert. The Labor Day weekend marked the official end to a disastrous summer box office season, with analysts declaring it a "flop" that has left the industry reeling.

Weapons: A Thriller That Failed to Thrill

Weapons' low weekly numbers and the poor earnings of other offerings at the box office are indicative of what analysts say is a summer flop

The supernatural horror film Weapons, starring Josh Brolin and Julia Garner, was supposed to be the savior of the summer. But after four weeks in theaters, it's been stripped of its top spot at the box office. Despite earning a decent $10.2 million over the weekend, the film's total gross is a paltry $234 million worldwide – a far cry from the estimated $400 million predicted by studios.

The Rise and Fall of Superman

However, not all superhero films have been created equal. The latest iteration of Superman has proved to be the hero that Hollywood desperately needed. With an impressive $611 million worldwide gross, the film's success has come as a welcome relief to a struggling industry. "It's like a breath of fresh air," says Paul Dergarabedian, chief box office analyst at Comscore. "We've had one up weekend since June 13, and that was when Superman opened. It's been all downhill from there."

Superman may be the box office hero of summer 2025. The film opened on July 11, and according to ComScore chief box office analyst Paul Dergarabedian, it was the only 'up' weekend for the summer

Jaws: Still Chomping Down the Competition

The 50th anniversary re-release of Steven Spielberg's classic horror film Jaws has proved to be a surprising hit, raking in an estimated $8.1 million over the weekend. The film's enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless appeal – and a reminder that even the most dated films can still pack a punch.

The Rise of Streaming: A Threat to Traditional Cinema?

The 50th anniversary re-release of Jaws came in second, earning and estimated $8.1 million  and beat two newcomers at the box office with A-list stars helming them

But despite the summer box office's lackluster performance, there are signs that moviegoers are returning to theaters in droves. According to ComScore, year-to-date ticket sales are up by four percent – a statistic that will come as a welcome relief to struggling studios.

The Tariff Effect: A Hidden Threat to Hollywood?

However, not all the news is good. The tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on foreign goods have had an unexpected impact on the box office – with consumer prices rising by 2.7% in June compared to last year. With the average cost of a movie ticket estimated at around $16, it's little wonder that audiences are staying away from theaters.

Jaws beat Caught Stealing, starring Austin Butler as a burned out former baseball player who turns to crime. The thriller debuted in third place with more than $7.8 million

The Future of Hollywood: A Bleak Outlook

But what does the future hold for Hollywood? According to a top studio executive, there are "all these studios and companies making movies" – but not enough audience to go around. It's a bleak outlook, indeed. As one insider put it, "I'm very, very nervous for the future."

A New Hope: Upcoming Releases That Could Save the Day

The Roses, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman as warring spouses rounded out the top five its debut weekend

But all is not lost. With several highly anticipated films scheduled for release over the next few months, there's still hope that Hollywood can stage a comeback. Wicked: For Good, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, is set to open on November 21 – with expectations running high after the success of its predecessor.

Other Upcoming Releases That Could Make or Break the Box Office

  • The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
  • Kiss of The Spider Woman with Jennifer Lopez
  • Marty Supreme starring Timothée Chalamet
  • One Battle After Another, based on a Paul Thomas Anderson screenplay

The comedy The Naked Gun with Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson did relatively well, earning more than $95 million worldwide, but the summer box office was down from last year

Only time will tell if these films can save the summer box office from itself. But one thing is certain – Hollywood needs a miracle.

So far 2025 box office earnings are up by 4% to date, and films such as Wicked: For Good, debuting in November are expected to add to that total

Other highly anticipated films leading up to the 2026 awards season include The Smashing Machine, starring Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson