Saudi film 'Desert Warrior' box office performance falls short in key markets

Desert Warrior has recorded modest box office returns following its release across the United States and the Middle East, raising questions about audience demand for the Saudi-backed production.

The film, starring Anthony Mackie and Ben Kingsley, grossed $596,000 from 1,010 screens in the U.S. by Thursday, a figure that has drawn attention given its reported $150 million budget.

Produced by MBC Group and distributed by Vertical, the film reached cinemas after a five-year production process marked by delays and creative disagreements involving director Rupert Wyatt.

Despite marketing that highlighted its cast and large-scale desert setting, cinema attendance remained limited. Industry expectations for the U.S. market had been modest, with projections suggesting the film might reach $1 million.

The performance in Middle Eastern markets has followed a similar pattern. In Saudi Arabia, the film generated $87,000 from 6,100 admissions during its opening weekend, ranking eighth at the box office.

Total sales in the country reached $110,000 by Thursday, while the United Arab Emirates recorded $37,000. Across the wider region, earnings stood at approximately $225,000, with sources indicating limited marketing support.

Some industry observers pointed to timing as a factor, suggesting audiences may be less inclined to engage with war-themed content amid ongoing regional conflict. Others highlighted uncertainty around the film’s target audience.

A distribution source in the Middle East said, “I’m not sure who it is targeting. It looks like another big-budget Hollywood film that just happens to have been filmed in Saudi.”

Audience testing of an unfinished version in 2023 reportedly produced negative feedback, and reviews have remained mixed.