The highly anticipated return of Oscar-winning filmmaker James L. Brooks to the big screen has ended in a stunning commercial failure. His new drama, Ella McCay, has become one of the biggest box office disappointments of 2025, struggling to recoup its budget amid scathing reviews.
A Disastrous Theatrical Run
Released in early December, Ella McCay opened to a dismal $2.1 million from 2,500 North American theatres. According to Box Office Mojo, the film has managed to gross just over $4 million globally in its first three weeks. With a reported production budget of $35 million, these figures represent a catastrophic financial loss.
The situation is so dire that Disney, the studio behind the film, has reportedly decided to scrap its planned theatrical release in France. Industry observers point to toxic word of mouth as a primary factor in the film's rapid collapse at the box office.
Scathing Critical Reception
The film's commercial failure is mirrored by its brutal reception from critics. On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Ella McCay holds a dismal 23% fresh rating.
Major publications were unsparing in their criticism. The Washington Post awarded the film one star, labeling it a huge mess and questioning if audiences could simply pretend it never happened. The Associated Press review expressed disbelief, asking if this was truly the work of the same mind behind classics like Broadcast News and Terms of Endearment.
The backlash extended to social media and online forums. On Reddit, fans compiled data ranking Ella McCay as having one of the worst wide openings for a studio release in recent memory. One commenter criticized the film's dated feel, suggesting it seemed like a script written for a different era and then forgotten. Others noted the film lacked the star power or spectacle to draw audiences, especially without the support of positive reviews.
A Celebrated Filmmaker's Unfortunate Streak
Ella McCay marked Brooks's first theatrical feature in 15 years, following the 2010 romantic comedy How Do You Know? That film, starring Reese Witherspoon and featuring Jack Nicholson's last big-screen performance, was also a critical and commercial disappointment, holding a 25% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
For his latest project, Brooks assembled an impressive cast, including Emma Mackey as the lead, a 34-year-old rising political star. The supporting ensemble featured Jamie Lee Curtis, Woody Harrelson, Albert Brooks, Ayo Edebiri, and Kumail Nanjiani. Despite this talent, the film failed to connect with either critics or moviegoers.
In a recent interview promoting the film, the late Jack Nicholson, a frequent Brooks collaborator, had praised the director as probably the best screenwriter in the world, highlighting his unique ability to weave serious topics with humour. This praise stands in stark contrast to the film's final reception.
With its disastrous performance, Ella McCay may unfortunately represent the final chapter in the storied career of a filmmaker responsible for iconic television like The Simpsons and beloved, award-winning films.
