Valerian: Box Office Bomb Now Streaming Hit!

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Initially released in 2017, director Luc Besson’s film “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” received mixed reactions from both critics and audiences, performing modestly at the worldwide box office. However, since its debut on Max, it has managed to soar, quickly ascending to the fifth spot on the Max Top 10 streaming chart within just ten days of its release.

French filmmaker Besson is recognized for movies like “The Fifth Element,” “Leon: The Professional” (starring a young Natalie Portman), and “Lucy” with Scarlett Johansson, as well as co-writing the script for “Taken.” However, it’s widely agreed that “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets” is his most ambitious project since “The Fifth Element” in terms of scale and ambition.

The movie served as a deeply personal undertaking for its director, who is well-known for personally funding the production and forgoing any payment to make it happen. The budget for Valerian, which was around $180 million at the time, marked it as the costliest independent film ever made in France. Interestingly, there were already plans for a trilogy, with a sequel even written before the initial movie premiered.

Sadly, the movie launched with a disappointing $17 million at the domestic box office and eventually grossed about $41 million. The fact that it was released against Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk on July 21, 2017, didn’t help its performance in the US. In France, where it originated, the film managed a modest $36.7 million, and worldwide, it only earned $225.9 million, with most of that coming from China ($62 million). Despite a standout performance by Rihanna, it couldn’t prevent the movie from underperforming globally.

Why did ‘Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets’ Bomb?

One significant factor that contributed to Valerian‘s underperformance at the box office was its ability to polarize both critics and viewers. Despite the movie’s impressive visuals and special effects, it faced numerous storyline issues. On Rotten Tomatoes, it currently boasts a critical approval rating of 47% and an audience score of 53%. The general consensus is that “Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets relies on sheer energy and visual spectacle to surmount narrative hurdles, providing a viewing experience where the surreal enjoyment sometimes overpowers its weaknesses.

The movie’s storyline is inspired by the French comic “Valerian and Laureline,” penned by Pierre Christin and visually brought to life by Jean-Claude Mézières. In simpler terms, the narrative follows the adventures of Valerian and Laureline.

In the 28th century, Major Valerian (played by Dane DeHaan) and Sergeant Laureline (portrayed by Cara Delevingne) are a team who strive to keep peace across human territories. On orders from their defense minister, they set off on a journey to Alpha, a rapidly growing city that serves as a hub for various species exchanging knowledge and culture. However, when a sinister force endangers Alpha’s tranquility and potentially the universe’s future, Valerian and Laureline find themselves in a race against time to uncover the source of the danger.

Due to the massive flop at the box office, Besson’s production company, EuropaCorp, which funded the film, found itself in a tough position a year after its release and had to regrettably reduce staff. However, despite the demise of the planned trilogy, it has surprisingly thrived on Max as a streaming success.

Some members of the film’s cast experienced success afterwards. For instance, Delevingne starred in Steve Martin and Martin Short’s hit show “Only Murders in the Building” as well as “American Horror Story”. Simultaneously, DeHaan featured in the successful series “American Primeval” and the Oscar-winning film “Oppenheimer”. Besson is set to direct both “June and John” and “Anna”, although the latter didn’t garner high ratings.

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2025-01-28 00:33