When all is said and done, 2016 may be remembered for delivering some of the biggest star-powered bombs in recent Hollywood history. And you can definitely add this past weekend’s holiday-themed romantic comedyMother’s Dayto the list. The movie only made $8.3 million at the domesticbox office, coming in 4th behindThe Jungle Book,Keanu, andThe Huntsman: Winter’s War. We don’t have an exact budget, but the movie’s opening weekend take barely covers starJulia Robertspaycheck for showing up. And she only worked on the movie for 4 days!
There’s no question thatJulia Robertsis one of the biggest box office draws of the past few decades. But having stayed absent from the big screen over the past couple of years may have taken its toll.Robertsearned a reported $3 million forMother’s Day, according toVariety. She only appears in a supporting role that required just four days of work. That puts her rate at an astounding $750,000 per day. This easy payday confirms that she is still one of thehighest paid actressesin Hollywood, even if the box office receipts hint that she didn’t really earn it this time out.
Even though the number is high, it’s nowhere near the record breaking wages she earned back in 2000 for the acclaimed dramaErin Brockovich. She brought in $20 million for that Oscar nominated biopic, which was the highest paycheck for a woman at that time. The legal drama came at the height ofRobertslong and illustrious career, and earned $250 million worldwide during its run in theaters.
The fact thatMother’s Dayfloundered at the box office has some speculating thatJulia Robertsdays as a top draw leading lady could be over. It also doesn’t help that the movie opened a week before Mother’s Day. There’s always the possibility of bigger second weekend numbers as Moms and their offspring enjoy a nice Sunday out at the movies. But withCaptain America: Civil Waralso opening thisMother’s Day Weekend, Roberts' holiday comedy isn’t expected to get that much of a lift.
Julia Roberts' last two big movies,The Secrets in Their EyesandMirror Mirroralso proved to be box office failures. But she’s not alone. Other big name celebrity peers such asGeorge Clooney,Brad PittandHarrison Fordhave had trouble opening recent movies that were not part of a franchise or a sequel to a blockbuster hit.George ClooneyandJulia Robertswill next share the screen inMoney Monster, which opens May 13.
Mother’s Dayticket sales were definitely not helped along by the amount of terrible reviews the movie got leading into its premiere date in theaters. The movie currently holds a dismal 8% rotten on Rotten Tomatoes. The comedy is the third in directorGarry Marshall’sGreeting Cardfranchise, which include 2010’sValentine’s Dayand 2011’sNew Year’s Eve.Mother’s Dayis made up of a series of vignettes that all tie up in the grand finale. JoiningRobertson screen areJennifer AnistonandKate Hudson.Julia Robertsplays Miranda, a famous home shopping personality.
Julia Robertspreviously starred inGarry Marshall’sValentine’s Day, which was actually a surprise hit. She was paid the same $3 million for that movie, but only clocked in 6 minutes of screen time. That romantic comedy went onto earn $110 million at the domestic box office, somethingMother’s Daywon’t even come close to achieving.Robertsdidn’t turn up inNew Year’s Eve, and it only made half of the previous installment with $55 million. While there are still plenty of holidays left forMarshallto explore in his greeting card franchise, the awful turnout forMother’s Daycould mark it as the last installment.
