The actor's new raunchy R-rated comedy "That's My Boy" debuted to a dismal $13 million in North America over Father's Day weekend.
Is Adam Sandler losing his mojo?
The $15.1 million debut of That's My Boy marks the worst performance for a Sandler comedy since Spanglish opened to $8.8 million in 2004 (Reign Over Me, an R-rated drama, opened to an even worse $7.5 million in 2007).
That's My Boy, with its raunchy storyline and R rating, is something of a departure for Sandler, since he's mostly made broad comedies.
Last year, Jack and Jill -- rated PG -- ultimately disappointed after opening to a promising $25 million in early November. The PG comedy topped out at a soft $74.2 million domestically, but grossed a solid $75.5 million overseas for a worldwide total of $149.7 million.
Sandler has been one of Hollywood's most consistent stars in terms of box office performance, with many of his films grossing north of $100 million domestically and $200 million worldwide, a milestone Jack and Jill couldn't reach.
Just Go With It, released in February 2011, fared better, grossing $103 million domestically and $214.9 million globally. The Valentine's Day comedy starred Sandler opposite Jennifer Aniston and Brooklyn Decker.
Sandler and his production company Happy Madison have long made Sony their home, the studio behind most of the actor's films, including That's My Boy. Sony says it is standing by its man.
"Sure we had hoped for more. It is a crazy, off-the-wall, raunchy R-rated comedy that audiences laugh like crazy at. Kudos for Adam mixing it up," Sony worldwide president of distribution Rory Bruersaid.
"We love being in the Adam Sandler business," Bruer continued.
Sony insiders believe Sandler's box office prowess will come roaring back to life with this fall's animated pic Hotel Transylvania (he voices Dracula) and 2013 summer comedy Grown Ups 2, the follow-up to 2010 box office hit Grown Ups, which earned $271.4 million worldwide.
Sandler has had his ups and downs throughout the years. The R-rated 2009 drama-comedy Funny People, also a departure for Sandler, grossed $51.9 million domestically and only $19.7 million overseas for a disappointing worldwide total of $71.6 million, while Reign Over Me grossed $27.1 million globally.
That's My Boy didn't exactly win over moviegoers, who gave it a B- CinemaScore. Reviewers were likewise down on the film.
Also starring Andy Samburg and Leighton Meester, That's My Boy was a big draw for moviegoers under the age of 25 (52 percent). Moviegoers between the ages of 18 and 24 made up the largest segement of the audinece (27 percent). Males made up 54 percent of the audience.
Nearly 60 percent of those turning out cited Sandler -- who is 45 -- and Samberg as a reason for going.
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