Sydney Sweeney’s latest project, Christy, a boxing biopic based on the life of Christy Martin, opened with disappointing results at the box office. The film, which had a wide release in over 2,000 theatres, earned only $1.3 million in its opening weekend, placing it among one of the worst domestic openings for a wide release. Despite this, Sweeney, both an actress and producer of the film, has responded publicly to the film’s underperformance, emphasising the deeper meaning behind Christy and the powerful message it aims to convey.
Key Features of Christy
The film is a dramatic retelling of Christy Martin’s rise in the boxing world, her struggles with domestic violence, and her survival after a 2010 attempt on her life by her husband and coach, Jim Martin. The following key features outline what makes Christy a significant project:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Director | David Michôd |
| Lead Actress | Sydney Sweeney (as Christy Martin) |
| Supporting Cast | Ben Foster, Merritt Weaver, Katy O’Brian, Ethan Embry, Chad L. Coleman |
| Budget | $15 million |
| Box Office Opening | $1.3 million in North America (opening weekend) |
| Themes | Survival, courage, hope, domestic violence awareness |
Sydney Sweeney’s Reaction to the Box Office Opening
After the film’s disappointing debut, Sydney Sweeney took to social media to express her pride in the project. Despite the poor box office results, she shared a heartfelt message about the impact of Christy. On Instagram, she posted:
“I am so deeply proud of this movie. Proud of the film David [Michôd] made. Proud of the story we told. Proud to represent someone as strong and resilient as Christy Martin. This experience has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”
She also emphasized the film’s message, saying, “This film stands for survival, courage, and hope. Through our campaigns, we’ve helped raise awareness for so many affected by domestic violence. We all signed on to this film with the belief that Christy’s story could save lives.”
The Story Behind Christy’s Struggles at the Box Office
Despite critical praise for its performances and a strong audience reception (98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes), Christy performed poorly at the box office. It grossed just $1.31 million during its opening weekend, ranking 11th in the box office, behind films such as Predator: Badlands and The Black Phone 2. With a reported budget of $15 million, this performance is a significant loss for the production team and Black Bear’s new distribution arm.
| Box Office Performance | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening Weekend (Domestic) | $1.3 million |
| Domestic Rank | 11th, behind Predator: Badlands and The Black Phone 2 |
| International Earnings | $39K (total international gross) |
| Worldwide Gross | $1.35 million |
| Budget | $15 million |
Sweeney’s Commitment to Impact Over Numbers
While the poor box office performance is hard to ignore, Sweeney remains focused on the broader impact of Christy. The film’s narrative of survival, courage, and hope resonates deeply with audiences, especially those who have experienced or are affected by domestic violence.
As Sweeney mentioned, “If Christy gave even one woman the courage to take her first step toward safety, then we will have succeeded. So yes, I’m proud. Why? Because we don’t always just make art for numbers, we make it for impact.”
Why Christy Matters Beyond the Box Office?
While Christy may have struggled at the box office, the film’s true value lies in its powerful storytelling and its ability to raise awareness about domestic violence. Through Christy Martin’s journey, the film aims to empower and inspire women to seek safety, showing the strength of one woman’s fight for survival and her resilience in the face of tremendous hardship. Sweeney’s dedication to this cause underscores the importance of art that goes beyond commercial success.
Recent Updates on Christy’s Performance
- November 2025: Christy officially opened to a dismal box office debut of $1.3 million, marking one of the worst performances for a wide release film.
- November 2025: Despite the poor reception, the film earned a B+ CinemaScore and a high audience rating, underscoring that its message resonated with viewers.
- December 2025: The film has begun to generate discussions around its impact, especially within the context of raising awareness about domestic violence.
FAQs
Despite a compelling story and strong performances, the film struggled due to stiff competition from other blockbuster films, limited marketing reach, and audience preference for more commercial films.
Christy is a biopic about boxer Christy Martin, focusing on her rise to fame in the 1990s and her survival after a near-fatal attack by her husband and coach in 2010.
Sydney Sweeney portrays Christy Martin, a boxer who overcomes significant personal and professional struggles to become one of the sport’s most respected champions.
The film has received generally positive reviews, with a 67% rating from critics and a 98% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, highlighting the film’s emotional depth and the strong performances of the cast.
While the box office performance was low, audience feedback has been positive, especially for the film’s empowering themes related to domestic violence and survival.
