Mark Wahlberg Breaks 26-Year Box Office Streak in Shocking New Role!

Mark Wahlberg has long been a titan of the action genre, a reliable box office draw whose films—from Transformers to Uncharted—have consistently delivered thrills and hefty returns. For 26 years, every action movie he’s headlined has grossed over $50 million, cementing his status as one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars. But with Flight Risk, released on January 24, 2025, that streak has come to an end. The film, which sees Wahlberg step into the rare role of a villain—a killer posing as a pilot—debuted at No. 1 but faltered, ending its theatrical run with a global haul of just $43.6 million against a modest $25 million budget. It’s a surprising stumble for the action stalwart, yet far from a total crash landing.

A Villainous Turn and a Bold Bet

Flight Risk isn’t just another Wahlberg action flick—it’s a departure. For only the second time in his career, following 1996’s cult classic Fear, he trades heroism for menace, playing a balding, unhinged pilot in a high-stakes thriller set aboard a small plane over the Alaskan wilderness. Directed by Mel Gibson, marking his first feature since 2016’s Oscar-nominated Hacksaw Ridge, the film pairs two industry heavyweights known for delivering cinematic adrenaline. With Michelle Dockery as a U.S. Marshal and Topher Grace as a fugitive informant rounding out the cast, Flight Risk promised a tense, twist-filled ride.

The movie’s $25 million budget fueled impressive cinematography and taut action sequences, crafting an atmosphere thick with betrayal and suspense. Lionsgate banked on a January release—a traditionally quiet month—to stand out after the holiday blockbuster blitz, targeting audiences craving a post-New Year’s thrill. Early signs were promising: Flight Risk soared to the top spot on opening weekend, pulling in $11.6 million domestically. But the tailwind didn’t last. Negative reviews (a 29% Rotten Tomatoes score) and a tepid “C” CinemaScore signaled trouble, and the film’s momentum fizzled, finishing well below the $50 million mark that had defined Wahlberg’s action legacy since 1999.

A Milestone, Not a Misstep

Despite the box office dip, Flight Risk isn’t a failure—it’s a pivot. Wahlberg’s collaboration with Gibson, whose directorial hits like Braveheart and Apocalypto have grossed over $100 million, brought a playful energy to the project. Critics may have panned the script’s simplicity, but Wahlberg’s hammy, against-type performance injects a wild-card charm into the film’s pulpy premise. The Alaskan vistas and single-location tension deliver a visual punch, proving the team’s dedication even if the numbers didn’t soar.

At $43.6 million worldwide, Flight Risk didn’t break even in theaters—conventional wisdom says a film needs double its budget to turn a profit—but it’s not a disaster. Lionsgate, which scored its second No. 1 debut of 2025 with the film, has a knack for mitigating risk by preselling foreign rights. And with a digital release slated for February 14, 2025, the movie has a shot at redemption on streaming, where Wahlberg’s recent titles like The Union and Spenser Confidential have found eager audiences.

Hollywood’s New Reality

Flight Risk’s struggle reflects a broader challenge facing the industry in 2025: theaters aren’t the draw they once were. Moviegoers, perhaps still reeling from post-pandemic habits or lured by streaming convenience, aren’t flocking to cinemas in droves. Warner Bros.’ Mickey 17, a high-profile sci-fi thriller, bolted to digital after just three weeks in theaters. Other 2025 releases, from Lionsgate’s own Den of Thieves 2: Pantera to Universal’s Wolf Man, have posted underwhelming numbers, only to find second lives online. Flight Risk joins this club—its $12 million opening weekend topped a dismal $66.3 million frame, the year’s lowest-grossing yet, hinting at a market in flux.

For Wahlberg, this isn’t a career killer. His last theatrical juggernaut, 2022’s Uncharted, rode Tom Holland’s star power to over $400 million globally, but his solo efforts since—like 2024’s Arthur the King ($32 million)—have trended smaller. Flight Risk’s $43.6 million haul still edges him past Denzel Washington and Leonardo DiCaprio on the all-time leading actor gross list, nudging his domestic total to $2.742 billion. At 53, he’s adapting, balancing theatrical swings with streaming hits.

Looking Ahead

As Hollywood grapples with a shaky box office—down from pre-pandemic highs but up 10.9% from 2024, per Comscore—Flight Risk is a case study in resilience. Its January slot was a calculated gamble, not a dumping ground, and its digital debut could yet turn the tide. For Wahlberg and Gibson, it’s a chance to test new waters: a villainous twist for one, a return to the director’s chair for the other. If 2025’s theatrical doldrums persist—relief may not come until Captain America: Brave New World drops on February 14—studios will need to rethink their playbook. For now, Flight Risk stands as a thrilling, if underseen, detour in Wahlberg’s storied run—one that proves even a broken streak can still take flight.