Summary
Zachary Levi’s latest film,The Unbreakable Boy, has set an unfortunate record for the actor, marking his lowest box office opening to date. The inspirationalLionsgatedrama, which was originally slated for release in 2022, has finally hit theaters after significant delays, but its debut has been underwhelming, marking a disappointment forLionsgate.
Levi, best known for his roles inChuck,Tangled, and theShazam!franchise, has faced a tough few years at the box office. His 2023 superhero sequelShazam! Fury of the Godsstruggled to perform, grossing just $134.1 million against a $125 million budget, making it the second-lowest-grossing film in the DC Extended Universe, just ahead ofBlue Beetle($130.8 million). In 2024, he starred inHarold and the Purple Crayon, which also failed to meet expectations, earning $32 million against a $40 million budget. However,The Unbreakable Boyis on track to perform even worse.
The Unbreakable Boyhas stumbled out of the gate in its opening week, marking a significant misstep for Lionsgate, which had been on a steady streak with releases likeDen of Thieves 2: PanteraandFlight Risk. According toAwards Radar, the film earned just $2.5 million, a disappointing start after facing multiple release delays, first due to the COVID-19 pandemic and then for various other reasons, before finally hitting theaters this weekend.
The Unbreakable Boy Sets an Unfortunate Record for Zachary Levi
Although technically a 2025 release,The Unbreakable Boybegan production in 2021, and much has changed in the years since, particularly for its lead actor, Zachary Levi. Despite receiving a high CinemaScore, the film struggled to gain traction and was effectively dead on arrival, especially when competing against box office juggernauts likeNe Zha 2. The Chinese animated blockbuster has now become the highest-grossing animated film of all time,defeatingInside Out 2and the only animated feature to surpass $2 billion globally, further pushingThe Unbreakable Boyinto the shadows.
The film, based on the real-life story of Scott LeRette and his son Austin, follows Levi as Scott, a father navigating the challenges of raising Austin (played by Jacob Laval), a young boy with brittle bone disease who is also on the autism spectrum. The movie also stars Meghann Fahy, Drew Powell, and Patricia Heaton. The official synopsis describes it as a story of “faith, joy, gratitude, and courage,” emphasizing the father-son bond and their journey of resilience.The Unbreakable Boyis adapted from LeRette’s 2014 memoir,The Unbreakable Boy: A Father’s Fear, a Son’s Courage, and a Story of Unconditional Love, co-written with Susy Flory. The book details LeRette’s personal struggles and triumphs as a father, offering an intimate look into his family’s journey.
Despite its heartwarming premise, the film’s delayed release and lack of marketing momentum may have contributed to its underwhelming box office performance. While Levi remains a beloved figure in Hollywood, his recent streak of box office disappointments raises questions about his future as a leading man in theatrical releases. WhetherThe Unbreakable Boywill find a second life on streaming or word-of-mouth remains to be seen.
