Critics Rank Martin Scorsese Films as “Killers of the Flower Moon” Hits Theaters
As the highly anticipated film “Killers of the Flower Moon” debuts in theaters before its streaming release on Apple, critics are taking the opportunity to rank their favorite Martin Scorsese films. However, while critical acclaim is one way to measure success, the adjusted box-office gross of Scorsese’s films tells a different story.
“Flower Moon” is projected to fall within the middle tier of Scorsese’s films in terms of box-office gross. Industry experts estimate that the film could potentially earn up to $100 million domestically. This puts it behind Scorsese’s biggest hits, most of which were released in the 21st century. In fact, five out of his top seven highest-grossing films were released after 2000.
A significant factor in Scorsese’s box-office success has been his frequent collaboration with Leonardo DiCaprio. DiCaprio stars in four out of Scorsese’s top five films, including “The Departed,” which is both his highest-grossing and only Best Picture winner.
The adjusted box-office order of Scorsese’s films is as follows: “The Departed,” “Cape Fear,” “The Aviator,” “Shutter Island,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “The Color of Money,” “Gangs of New York,” “Taxi Driver,” “GoodFellas,” and “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.”
However, box-office success does not always reflect the quality of a film or its profitability. “Cape Fear,” despite being the second highest-grossing Scorsese film, is not often regarded as one of his best works. Conversely, “The Aviator” and “Shutter Island” gained traction and achieved success due to their release during the awards season.
Scorsese’s films have not always received impressive Cinemascores, with only two films earning ratings above a B+. Additionally, none of Scorsese’s films have made it into the top 10 releases of their respective years.
Interestingly, “Taxi Driver” ranks higher than “GoodFellas” on the adjusted box-office list, while “Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore” is considered one of Scorsese’s most profitable films.
Scorsese’s first Best Actor win came with Robert De Niro in “Raging Bull,” despite the film being a box-office flop. Despite some commercial failures throughout his career, Scorsese has had more hits than misses in recent years.
The release of “Flower Moon” comes at a time when box-office success is measured differently. With a production cost estimated at $200 million, the film’s success or failure will carry significant weight. However, its release on Apple, backed by the company’s substantial revenue, ensures that even if the film doesn’t perform well financially, it would only be a minor setback for the tech giant.
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