Despite Sydney Sweeney’s rising fame, her latest project, Americana, faced an underwhelming opening. Released by Lionsgate earlier in August 2025, the film earned roughly between $500,000 to $840,000 from over 1,100 theaters—numbers that position it as one of the season’s most modest box office debuts.
Directed by Tony Tost, this crime‑thriller‑western hybrid stars Sweeney as Penny Jo Poplin, a hopeful waitress swept into a high-stakes pursuit around a rare Native American artifact.
Despite its niche appeal and modest theatrical return, Lionsgate emphasized that Americana was part of a broader multi-platform release, with premium VOD and streaming expected to help it break even—or even turn a small profit—under the Lionsgate Premiere strategy.
Critics and co-stars likewise advocated not to count it out. The director defended the film as a “hidden gem,” urging audiences to look past the headlines, while Halsey, Sweeney’s co-star, criticized how gossip overshadowed the creative work involved.
Ultimately, Americana’s disappointing theatrical showing serves as a reminder that even established stars can’t guarantee box office success—especially in today’s fragmented viewing landscape.
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