From Box Office Bomb to Streaming Success: The Surprising Comeback of ‘Keeping Up With the Joneses’

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A star-studded cast consisting of Zach Galifianakis, Isla Fisher, Gal Gadot, Jon Hamm, and fan favorite Patton Oswalt, under the direction of Greg Mottola (Superbad), failed to save their 2016 action comedy film, Keeping Up With the Joneses. Despite high expectations for a successful comedy blockbuster, the movie bombed at the box office and was met with harsh criticism from both critics and viewers. However, it has since found a second chance on streaming platforms and now ranks fourth in Max’s Top 10.

The film Keeping Up With the Joneses boasted both the charisma and talent to spark interest among viewers, with Galifianakis basking in the success of the Hangover series, Hamm receiving critical acclaim and awards as Don Draper on Mad Men, which concluded the previous year. Meanwhile, Gadot was already cast as Wonder Woman and featured in Fast & Furious 6. Fisher had starred in hits such as Wedding Crashers and Confessions of a Shopaholic.

The plot seems to be in the vein of Mr. & Mrs. Smith:

As a movie enthusiast, I’d say: Living next to the Joneses, an seemingly perfect suburban couple, has turned out to be anything but ordinary. Their charm and sophistication make us feel like we’re constantly playing catch-up. But little did we know, they aren’t just neighbors; they’re covert spies entangled in global espionage, making our everyday life feel like a thrilling spy movie!

In October 2016, the movie managed to bring in a disappointing $5.4 million during its first weekend at the domestic box office. However, it struggled to earn more, eventually totaling roughly $30 million worldwide. Given its production cost of $40 million, it could have been a far greater flop. Critics were harsh, with the film garnering a poor 20% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences weren’t much more generous, awarding it a 37%. The general consensus on RT is that the movie squandered its talented cast and intriguing concept by producing an ultimately unfunny film.

Despite being a streaming success on Max, it’s not a bad choice for a leisurely watch on a dreary day. Although it may not be bursting with humor, there is still enough action and star charisma to maintain interest. The actors, particularly Fisher and Galifianakis, excel in their portrayal of an ordinary suburban couple, while Gadot and Hamm are convincingly cast as the seemingly normal neighbors who turn out to be secret agents.

The Cast Rebounded with Bigger Hits

Regardless of its mixed reception, the cast of Keeping Up With the Jonses managed to rebound swiftly. Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman, released in 2017, was a significant success both critically and commercially, while Carrie Fisher found herself in numerous successful productions such as Curb Your Enthusiasm and Wolf Like Me.

In addition, Hamm has made appearances on programs such as “Good Omens”, “Your Friends & Neighbors”, “The Morning Show”, and “Landman”. Similarly, Galifianakis has provided his voice for various animated films and series including “The Lego Batman Movie” and “Bob’s Burgers”, and collaborated with Martin Short and Steve Martin in “Only Murders in the Building”.

If you’re searching for a hearty dose of action, espionage, and comedy all rolled into one, “Keeping Up With the Joneses” could be just what you need. It would pair nicely as a double-feature with “Mr. & Mrs. Smith (the movie)” when it becomes available on Hulu on February 1st.

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2025-01-20 23:32