Netflix Rescues Margot Robbie's $40mn Fantasy Flop
A star-studded romantic fantasy that crashed at the box office is suddenly climbing Netflix charts. The film's theatrical disaster becomes streaming gold, while its A-list leads move on to bigger projects.
Two Hollywood heavyweights couldn't save a doomed romance from spectacular failure. Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell's fantasy romance crashed hard in September 2025, earning brutal reviews and losing half its production budget. Now the same movie sits at number seven on Netflix's most-watched list.
'A Big Bold Beautiful Journey' promised magic but delivered disappointment. Director Kogonada's vision of strangers meeting at a wedding and exploring shared memories fell flat with audiences and critics alike. The film managed just $20mn worldwide against its $40mn budget.
From Black List Promise to Box Office Disaster
The script started with promise. It appeared on Hollywood's prestigious Black List, the same launching pad that produced 'Slumdog Millionaire' and 'The Revenant'. But some unproduced scripts stay unproduced for good reason.
Critics called it "pretentious" and slammed its focus on pretty scenery over character chemistry. Audiences were slightly kinder, giving it 58% compared to critics' harsh 37% rating. Many viewers described it as a "lifeless bore" despite the star power.
Streaming Success After Theatrical Failure
Netflix viewers seem more forgiving than theater audiences. The film's current chart position proves streaming platforms can resurrect even the biggest theatrical bombs. Maybe viewers tolerate more sappiness at home than they do paying theater prices.
Writer Seth Reiss adapted his own Black List script, but the translation from page to screen lost something crucial. Even A-list talent can't fix fundamental story problems.
Stars Move On to Better Projects
Both leads have moved past this misstep. Robbie signed on for Emerald Fennell's 'Wuthering Heights' adaptation opposite Jacob Elordi. The project promises a fresh take on the classic novel.
Farrell returns to Gotham City for 'The Batman Part II', reprising his acclaimed Penguin role after the HBO Max series success. His planned 'Sgt. Rock' DC project got shelved last year, but Batman keeps him busy.