Lionsgate Sees Profit Potential in "Americana" Despite Underwhelming Box Office

In August 2025, the neo-Western film "Americana" starring Sydney Sweeney had a lackluster opening weekend at the box office, making just an estimated $500,000 and ranking 19th among domestic releases. With Lionsgate opening the film on over 1,100 screens nationwide, the per-screen average of $436 was considered "not good" by industry standards.

However, Lionsgate is not overly concerned about the film's performance. The studio believes "Americana" will ultimately turn a profit, as part of its business model that focuses on smaller films with limited marketing, aiming for long-term gains from home entertainment sales, streaming licensing, and international distribution.

Lionsgate acquired the film for $3 million after it premiered at SXSW in 2023, but the studio only holds the bag for about half of that, or $1.5 million, due to international licensing deals. The marketing budget for "Americana" is an additional $3 million. Despite the underwhelming opening, Lionsgate expects the film to eventually earn around $1.5 million in profit.

This approach is typical for Lionsgate, which releases 30 to 40 small films per year under its Premiere Releasing banner, in addition to its major franchise titles. While "Americana" is unlikely to be a hit, the studio is confident it will turn a profit through various revenue streams, including a 30-day exclusive theatrical run, home entertainment sales, and licensing to streamers like Starz or Netflix.