Wes Anderson’s latest film, The Phoenician Scheme, has experienced a subdued box office performance worldwide, earning only $9.4 million after a week in theaters. This outcome marks a notable shift in Wes Anderson box office performance for The Phoenician Scheme, especially given its high-profile cast and critical pedigree.
Star-Studded Cast Fails to Boost Audience Numbers
The Phoenician Scheme brings together an array of well-known actors, with Benicio del Toro at the forefront and including the likes of Jeffrey Wright, Riz Ahmed, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, Willem Dafoe, and Benedict Cumberbatch. Despite this collective star power, the film has struggled to ignite robust enthusiasm among general audiences.
Strong Limited Opening But Tepid Wider Appeal
The film debuted in only six locations, securing the strongest limited release of the year to date. However, the momentum faded during its expansion to a wider audience, as indicated by a CinemaScore of B-. This is a step down from Asteroid City’s B grade and suggests a chillier reception, though Anderson’s tendency to eschew mainstream trends and his preference for moderate budgets make such outcomes less rare for his films.
Release Timeline and Earnings Details
The Phoenician Scheme was first shown in select theatres across the UK and Ireland on May 23, 2025, followed by further limited releases starting May 27, 2025. The United States saw its limited release on May 30, 2025, with a wider launch on June 6, 2025. So far, its overall box office stands at $9.4 million globally, on a production budget reported at $30 million.
Box Office Breakdown by Region
The film’s global earnings can be divided as follows:
Domestic: $3.2 million
International: $6.1 million
Worldwide: $9.4 million
Critical Reception Remains Solid Despite Audience Hesitation
The Rotten Tomatoes score for The Phoenician Scheme currently sits at 79%, reflecting continued support from critics if not quite matching widespread audience excitement. Justin Chang of The New Yorker commented,
“The result is more digestible, though also less moving, than Anderson’s recent Asteroid City, but it does have a stealth emotional weapon in Threapleton’s Liesl, who exudes the intelligence and self-possession of a young Anna Karina.”
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker.
Offering her take, Sandra Hall of The Sydney Morning Herald wrote,
“Sometimes [Wes Anderson] strays too far into the arcane and the laughs get lost in the confusion but his best work is so gloriously ridiculous that you can forgive him anything. The Phoenician Scheme is in that category.”
—Sandra Hall, The Sydney Morning Herald.
Comparisons to Anderson’s Previous Films
Looking at prior releases via Box Office Mojo, Anderson’s last film, Asteroid City, grossed around $53 million worldwide on a $25 million budget. The French Dispatch garnered roughly $46 million, performing similarly in both critical and financial terms. Going back further, Fantastic Mr. Fox earned $58 million globally and enjoyed a stronger CinemaScore, while The Grand Budapest Hotel remains his most commercially successful work, pulling in $174 million worldwide—a benchmark the director has yet to approach again.
What the Current Trend Suggests for Wes Anderson
The Phoenician Scheme’s modest earnings highlight an uncertain period for one of Hollywood’s most individualistic directors. While critical reception remains favorable, audience turnout has become less predictable, even for films with standout casts. Key names like Benicio del Toro, Tom Hanks, Benedict Cumberbatch, Scarlett Johansson, Willem Dafoe, and Jeffrey Wright could not spur greater ticket sales in this instance. As Anderson continues to champion stylized storytelling outside mainstream conventions, his box office prospects may remain ambiguous, with future releases watched closely by both fans and industry observers alike.
