Sydney Sweeney’s latest film, Christy, has experienced a disappointing opening at the U.S. box office, grossing approximately $1.3 million across 2,011 theaters, which equates to an average of $649 per venue. According to Box Office Mojo, this ranks among the lowest openings for films released on more than 2,000 screens, with three of the films below it having debuted during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. The movie currently holds a 67% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
The biographical sports drama stars Sweeney, 28, as Hall of Fame boxer Christy Martin, and marks the first U.S. distribution handled by Black Bear Pictures, which has previously produced and distributed titles such as The Imitation Game (2014), Mudbound (2017), and Sing Sing (2024).
Industry observers have linked the film’s under performance to controversy surrounding Sweeney’s involvement in a recent American Eagle ad campaign. The campaign, which featured the tagline “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans” and referenced her genetics, drew criticism for allegedly promoting racial dog-whistling, while also gaining support from former President Donald Trump. Sweeney described the backlash as “surreal” and emphasized that her personal attachment to the brand stems from her everyday wardrobe choices.
In promoting Christy, Sweeney highlighted the physical intensity of her role, revealing that she endured injuries, including a bloody nose and a concussion, while filming authentic boxing scenes. She stated that the cast and crew trained rigorously, creating a supportive environment that she described as “painful, joyful, resilient, beautiful, it was everything.”
Sweeney also detailed her preparation for the role, which included a strict regimen of daily weight training, boxing practice, and gaining 35 pounds over three months to convincingly portray Martin. She credited co-star Katy O’Brian for her resilience and director David Michôd for his guidance, emphasizing the film’s impact on her both professionally and personally.
The film chronicles Christy Martin’s groundbreaking boxing career, including her 1996 World Boxing Council women’s lightweight championship victory, high-profile bouts against Laila Ali, and her status as the first female boxer signed by Don King. Martin, nicknamed “The Coalminer’s Daughter,” also made history as the only female boxer featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated and holds a professional record of 49-7-3, including 31 knockouts.
Despite the early commercial struggles, Christy has generated attention for its authenticity and potential awards-season prospects, even as Sweeney navigates the residual effects of the earlier controversy.#newsafro_
