The boxing biopic Christy, starring Sydney Sweeney in the lead role, debuted to disappointing box office results this past weekend. According to Box Office Mojo, the film earned only $1.3 million in domestic ticket sales, placing it among the top 12 worst openings for a new release on over 2,000 screens. This poor showing comes despite the film highlighting the compelling true story of professional boxer Christy Martin.
Sydney Sweeney Expresses Pride in the Film and Its Message
In response to Christy’s underwhelming start, Sydney Sweeney took to Instagram to share her deep pride for the project. Posting behind-the-scenes photos, she declared,
“I am so deeply proud of this movie,”
Sydney Sweeney wrote, adding,
“Proud of the film David [Michôd] made. Proud of the story we told. Proud to represent someone as strong and resilient as Christy Martin. This experience has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”
She went on to highlight the important themes portrayed in the film, noting,
“This film stands for survival, courage, and hope. Through our campaigns, we’ve helped raise awareness for so many affected by domestic violence. We all signed on to this film with the belief that Christy’s story could save lives.”
The Life and Legacy of Christy Martin
Christy Martin rose to fame during the 1990s as a groundbreaking female boxer, establishing herself as one of the sport’s most prominent athletes. Over her career, she amassed 49 wins, 7 losses, and 3 draws. Alongside her professional achievements, Martin faced personal hardships, including a violent attack in 2010 when her then-husband and coach Jim Martin attempted to kill her at their home. Jim Martin was convicted of attempted murder in the second degree. Today, Christy Martin is married to fellow boxer Lisa Holewyne.
Sydney Sweeney applauded the courage of her real-life inspiration, emphasizing the film’s role beyond entertainment. She stated,
“If Christy gave even one woman the courage to take her first step toward safety, then we will have succeeded. So yes I’m proud. Why? Because we don’t always just make art for numbers, we make it for impact. And Christy has been the most impactful project of my life. Thank you Christy. I love you.”
Box Office Performance and Industry Context
Christy finished 11th in box office rankings, trailing behind films such as Predator: Badlands, the Colleen Hoover adaptation Regretting You, The Black Phone 2, and the psychological indie film Die My Love. This marks another disappointing debut for Sydney Sweeney, following earlier underperformances in 2023 with the Ron Howard-directed thriller Eden and the contemporary Western Americana, where she starred alongside Halsey.
Eden launched with a domestic total barely surpassing $1 million, while Americana opened around $500,000, sparking debate on whether it qualified as a box office flop. These recent outcomes raise questions about the factors influencing audience turnout for Sweeney’s projects this year.
Public Controversies and Their Possible Impact on Audience Interest
Sydney Sweeney’s recent public image has been marked by several controversies that may have affected her drawing power at the box office. After gaining fame for her role as Cassie Howard on HBO’s Euphoria, she faced backlash in 2023 when photos from her mother’s 60th birthday surfaced, showing guests wearing red MAGA-inspired hats. Addressing misconceptions around the incident, Sweeney said,
“The people in the pictures weren’t even my family.”
Further stirring public debate was her partnership with Dr. Squatch, which included a limited-edition soap marketed as containing Sweeney’s bathwater. However, the most contentious moment came with her American Eagle advertisement campaign released in July. The campaign used the homophones “jeans” and “genes,” prompting accusations that it promoted eugenics.
Despite the growing backlash, conservative voices such as Megyn Kelly and former President Donald Trump publicly supported the ad. Sydney Sweeney remained mostly silent on the controversy but later addressed it in an interview with GQ, saying,
“I think that when I have an issue that I want to speak about, people will hear.”
Sydney Sweeney’s Perspective on Art and Audience Reception
Regarding concerns that her off-screen controversies might deter audiences from her films, Sweeney expressed resilience and a focus on the power of storytelling. She told GQ,
“If somebody is closed off — because of something they read online — to a powerful story like Christy, then I hope that something else can open their eyes to being open to art and being open to learning,”
adding,
“I’m not going to be affected by that.”
This reflects her outlook that art and its impact transcend personal disputes or public misunderstanding.
Sydney Sweeney’s Past Box Office Successes
While 2023 has posed challenges for Sydney Sweeney, she has previously enjoyed considerable box office victories. Notably, her romantic comedy Anyone But You achieved tremendous success, grossing $220 million globally against a modest $25 million budget. This prior accomplishment demonstrates Sweeney’s capacity to connect with wide audiences under the right circumstances.
Looking Ahead: Sydney Sweeney’s Career Prospects Following Christy
Despite the setbacks from Christy’s weak box office debut and recent public controversies, Sydney Sweeney remains a prominent figure in Hollywood. Her commitment to impactful storytelling and engagement with socially significant themes may bolster her future projects. How audiences will respond to her upcoming efforts will likely hinge on both the quality of her performances and shifts in public perception.
