LOS ANGELES — Anne Hathaway, the Oscar-winning actress whose star power has illuminated Hollywood for over two decades, is facing a sobering reality check in 2026. Her latest film, Mother Mary, an A24-produced drama co-starring Michaela Coel, has underperformed at the box office, earning just $2 million in its opening weeks despite strong marketing and divisive but passionate reviews. The modest returns—even for an arthouse distributor like A24—signal a broader shift in the film industry, where the once-reliable draw of a major star is no longer enough to guarantee audiences.
Hathaway’s situation reflects a fundamental change in how movies are consumed and marketed. While she remains one of Hollywood’s most recognizable names, the failure of Mother Mary to gain traction underscores a new era where viral marketing, social media buzz, and even the type of film (original IP vs. Franchise) often matter more than the presence of a marquee actor. This trend is reshaping the industry, forcing studios to rethink how they promote films and which projects they greenlight.
The Box Office Struggle of Mother Mary
Mother Mary, released in April 2026, marks Hathaway’s first major film role of the year. The film, directed by Sebastian Lelio, pairs her with Michaela Coel, the BAFTA-winning creator of I May Destroy You. Despite the film’s pedigree—Lelio won an Oscar for A Fantastic Woman in 2018—Mother Mary has struggled to find an audience. As of April 29, 2026, the film has grossed just $2 million domestically, a figure that pales in comparison to Hathaway’s past box office successes.
A24, the independent studio behind the film, is known for its critically acclaimed but often niche releases. The studio’s highest-grossing film to date, Everything Everywhere All at Once, earned over $77 million worldwide, while other hits like Hereditary and Moonlight grossed $80 million and $65 million, respectively. However, A24’s films typically rely on word-of-mouth and awards buzz rather than star power alone. Mother Mary’s underperformance, even by A24’s standards, raises questions about whether Hathaway’s name is still a sufficient draw for original, non-franchise films.
The film’s reception has been mixed. Critics have praised Hathaway and Coel’s performances, with The Hollywood Reporter calling the film “a bold, if uneven, exploration of faith and feminism.” However, others have criticized its pacing and narrative structure. The divisive reviews, combined with the film’s limited theatrical release, have contributed to its struggles at the box office. Theaters have begun reducing showtimes for Mother Mary, a sign that the film is not resonating with audiences as expected.
Star Power in Decline: A New Era for Hollywood
Hathaway’s box office woes are not an isolated incident. They reflect a broader trend in the film industry, where the traditional power of star-driven projects is waning. In the past, a film starring a major actor like Hathaway—who won an Oscar for Les Misérables in 2013 and has starred in blockbusters like The Dark Knight Rises and Interstellar—would have been enough to guarantee a strong opening weekend. Today, however, audiences are increasingly drawn to franchises, intellectual properties (IPs), and films with built-in fanbases, rather than original stories led by even the most bankable stars.
This shift is driven by several factors. First, the rise of streaming platforms has fragmented the moviegoing audience. With countless options available at home, fewer people are willing to venture to theaters for films that don’t offer a unique or immersive experience. Second, social media has democratized fame, making influencers and content creators as influential—if not more so—than traditional movie stars. A viral TikTok campaign or a trending hashtag can now drive more attention to a film than a star-studded red carpet premiere.
Third, the economics of filmmaking have changed. Studios are increasingly risk-averse, prioritizing franchises and sequels over original projects. Films like Barbie and Oppenheimer, which dominated the 2023 box office, succeeded not just because of their stars but because of their unique marketing strategies and cultural relevance. Even A24, which built its reputation on original films, has had to rely on innovative marketing tactics to generate buzz. For example, the studio’s 2025 hit Marty Supreme, starring Timothée Chalamet, leaned heavily on social media campaigns and influencer partnerships to build anticipation for its original story.
Hathaway’s upcoming projects suggest she is well aware of these industry shifts. Later in 2026, she is set to star in The Devil Wears Prada 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2006 fashion-industry classic. The film reunites her with Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci, and is expected to draw audiences based on nostalgia and the built-in fanbase of the original. She is also attached to The Odyssey, a high-profile adaptation of Homer’s epic, and Verity, a psychological thriller based on the bestselling novel by Colleen Hoover. These projects, which either leverage existing IP or promise broad appeal, are more likely to succeed in today’s market than original films like Mother Mary.
The Exceptions: Stars Who Still Draw Crowds
While Hathaway’s experience highlights the challenges facing many stars, some actors continue to wield significant box office power. Tom Cruise, for example, remains one of the few actors whose name alone can guarantee a film’s success. The Mission: Impossible franchise, which Cruise has led since 1996, has grossed over $3.5 billion worldwide, with the most recent installment, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, earning $567 million globally in 2023. Cruise’s commitment to practical stunts and his relentless promotional efforts have kept the franchise relevant, proving that star power can still drive box office success when paired with spectacle and brand recognition.
Brad Pitt is another example of a star whose name still carries weight. His 2022 film Bullet Train grossed $239 million worldwide, while Once Upon a Time in Hollywood earned $377 million in 2019. Pitt’s ability to draw audiences stems from his long-standing reputation as a leading man and his involvement in high-profile projects. Similarly, actors like Dwayne Johnson and Leonardo DiCaprio continue to deliver strong box office returns, though even they are increasingly tied to franchises or IP-driven films.
The difference between these stars and Hathaway may lie in the types of projects they choose. Cruise and Pitt have built their careers on franchises and tentpole films, while Hathaway has often gravitated toward smaller, character-driven roles. While her choices have earned her critical acclaim—including an Oscar and multiple nominations—they may not always translate to box office success in today’s market. This dynamic underscores the growing divide between critical acclaim and commercial viability, a gap that has widened as audiences prioritize spectacle and familiarity over original storytelling.
What Which means for the Future of Film
The struggles of Mother Mary and the broader decline of star-driven original films raise important questions about the future of the movie industry. For actors like Hathaway, the challenge will be balancing artistic ambition with commercial appeal. While she has proven her ability to draw audiences in the past—The Devil Wears Prada grossed $326 million worldwide in 2006—today’s market demands more than just a recognizable name. Studios and filmmakers must now consider how to generate buzz, whether through social media campaigns, influencer partnerships, or strategic release windows.
For audiences, this shift may imply fewer opportunities to see original films in theaters. As studios prioritize franchises and IP-driven projects, the space for mid-budget, star-driven dramas and comedies is shrinking. This could lead to a homogenization of the film landscape, where only a handful of genres and formats dominate the box office. However, it also presents an opportunity for independent studios like A24 to continue pushing boundaries and championing original stories, even if they don’t always find a wide audience.
Hathaway’s career trajectory offers a case study in how stars can adapt to these changes. While Mother Mary may not have been a commercial success, her upcoming projects—particularly The Devil Wears Prada 2—demonstrate her ability to pivot toward more marketable fare. Whether this shift will redefine her career or simply reflect the realities of today’s film industry remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the era of star power as the sole driver of box office success is over, and the actors who thrive in this new landscape will be those who can balance artistic integrity with commercial savvy.
Key Takeaways
- Star power is no longer enough: Anne Hathaway’s Mother Mary has grossed just $2 million, highlighting the declining influence of star-driven original films at the box office.
- Franchises and IP dominate: Audiences are increasingly drawn to sequels, reboots, and adaptations, rather than original stories led by even the most recognizable actors.
- Marketing matters more than ever: Studios are relying on social media campaigns, influencer partnerships, and viral marketing to generate buzz for films, even those starring major actors.
- Exceptions exist: Actors like Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt continue to draw crowds, but their success is often tied to franchises and high-profile projects.
- The future of film is uncertain: The decline of star-driven original films could lead to a more homogenized movie landscape, but it also presents opportunities for independent studios to champion unique stories.
What’s Next for Anne Hathaway?
With The Devil Wears Prada 2 set to premiere on May 1, 2026, all eyes will be on Hathaway’s next move. The sequel, which reunites the original cast and promises a fresh take on the fashion industry in the digital age, is expected to be a major box office draw. If it succeeds, it could reaffirm Hathaway’s status as a leading lady capable of delivering both critical acclaim and commercial success. However, if it underperforms, it may signal that even nostalgia and star power are no longer enough to guarantee audiences.
In the meantime, Hathaway’s fans and industry observers will be watching closely to see how she navigates this new era of filmmaking. Will she continue to take risks on original projects, or will she focus on more commercially viable fare? One thing is certain: the rules of the game have changed, and the stars who adapt will be the ones who endure.
What do you suppose about the changing role of star power in Hollywood? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation.