The Saudi-funded historical action film “Desert Warrior” is being labeled one of the most shocking box office failures in recent memory after earning just $488,000 against a reported $150 million budget.
That means the film has reportedly recovered less than 0.3% of its production cost, a number that has stunned industry watchers and quickly gone viral online.
The movie, directed by Rupert Wyatt and starring Anthony Mackie, was released in over 1,000 U.S. theaters in late April 2026. Despite the wide rollout, turnout was extremely low, with reports pointing to weak awareness and limited audience interest.
Industry trackers also noted a very low per-theater average, signaling that even where the film played, audiences largely did not show up.
The film’s performance has now placed it in early conversations about one of the worst wide-release box office openings ever recorded for a major production.
On social media, reactions have been brutal.
A widely shared post from @pubity highlighted the numbers alongside the official movie poster and an image of an empty wallet, visually emphasizing the scale of the financial collapse.
“Desert Warrior” was originally positioned as a major international production and a flagship Saudi-funded film project, making the commercial disappointment even more striking given its high-profile backing and large-scale production budget.
Despite the star power and large marketing ambitions, the film failed to generate momentum during its opening weekend and struggled to compete with even modest theatrical releases.
As the numbers continue to circulate, the film is now being cited as a case study in how big budgets and big names do not always translate into box office success.
For now, “Desert Warrior” stands as a cautionary tale in modern film economics: massive spending, minimal return, and a release that barely registered with audiences.