Desert Warrior, a film starring Anthony Mackie, earned just $596,000 domestically during its opening weekend. This dismal performance raises serious questions about Saudi Arabia’s ambitions in blockbuster filmmaking.
Industry observers noted that “Cinemagoers don’t have the appetite for a film about a desert war in the middle of a literal desert war.” The film faced significant challenges before its release.
Desert Warrior had a production budget of $150 million and averaged only $590 per screen across 1,010 theaters in the U.S. Its earnings were even lower in Saudi Arabia, where it made just $87,000 from 6,100 admissions.
The total box office earnings in the Middle East reached approximately $225,000, placing Desert Warrior eighth at the box office in Saudi Arabia during its opening weekend.
The film garnered a poor critical reception, achieving only a 29% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Audience testing of an unfinished version in July 2023 produced negative feedback.
Production delays and creative disagreements plagued the project over five years. Many insiders believed MBC Group would consider releasing it straight to streaming rather than theatrically.
The film was distributed by Vertical after being acquired in February 2026. It launched amid ongoing military conflicts in the Middle East, which may have affected audience interest.
A distribution executive commented, “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.” This highlights the disconnect between production and audience expectations.
Officials have not confirmed whether this failure will impact future investments in Saudi Arabian cinema. The viability of such ambitious projects remains uncertain as industry analysts watch closely.