Apple's venture into the realm of big-budget films has experienced its share of ups and downs. While recent releases like Martin Scorsese's "Killers of the Flower Moon" and Ridley Scott's "Napoleon" garnered praise, their latest offering, "Argylle," stumbled upon its theatrical release.

Directed by Matthew Vaughn and featuring a star-studded ensemble including Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, and Henry Cavill, "Argylle" failed to captivate audiences, opening with a lackluster $18 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates revealed on Sunday.

Despite Apple's track record in original film production, which includes securing the prestigious Oscar for Best Picture in 2021 with "CODA," the tech giant's recent attempts at big-budget releases have yielded mixed results.

"Killers of the Flower Moon," though receiving critical acclaim with $156 million in global sales, fell short of being a commercial success. Similarly, "Napoleon," released in November, managed to accumulate $219 million worldwide but struggled to turn a profit.

In contrast, "Argylle" received a tepid response from critics, earning a meager 35% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and failed to resonate with audiences, earning a C CinemaScore.

Watch Argylle Trailer

Unlike its predecessors, "Argylle" faltered in its ambition to launch a new franchise. Despite speculation prior to its release linking Taylor Swift to the project due to prominent use of argyle patterns and feline imagery in promotional material, Swift was not involved in the production.

The underwhelming performance of "Argylle" starkly contrasts with the success of other releases during the weekend. The Christian drama series "The Chosen" claimed the second spot with $6 million in ticket sales for the initial three episodes of its fourth season.

In an otherwise subdued weekend at the box office, established titles and awards contenders continued to draw audiences. Warner Bros.' "Wonka" surpassed the $200 million milestone domestically in its eighth week, while Paramount's "Mean Girls" crossed the $100 million mark after four weeks in theaters.

Despite the influx of Oscar contenders in recent months, films such as Cord Jefferson's "American Fiction" and Yorgos Lanthimos' "Poor Things" remained popular choices among moviegoers.

Overall, while "Argylle" stumbled, Apple's cinematic endeavors continue to evolve, with both successes and setbacks shaping its journey in the film industry.

(Data source: Comscore, final domestic figures expected on Monday)

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