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Tom Cruise and Ben Stiller may be long-time friends in Hollywood—Cruise’s unforgettable cameo in 'Tropic Thunder' remains a standout moment in Stiller’s career—but their blockbuster franchises are currently going head-to-head at the box office. Over the weekend, Cruise’s latest action spectacle, 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning', officially outpaced the global box office total of Stiller’s original 'Night at the Museum', a family favourite released back in 2006.
'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning' just cracked the top 200 highest-grossing movies ever—welcome to the elite club. The movie has earned approximately $195 million domestically and around $585 million globally. However, this impressive haul comes with a caveat: the film’s production budget reportedly reached a staggering $400 million. As a result, while the earnings are substantial, profitability remains in question, and the film has yet to be declared a clear financial hit.
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Image Courtesy: IMDb
'Night at the Museum' Had Modest Budget
In comparison, the 'Night at the Museum' franchise had a more modest budget structure. The original film grossed about $580 million globally and launched a trilogy that enjoyed strong commercial success. The sequel, 'Battle of the Smithsonian', brought in over $400 million, while the third instalment, 'Secret of the Tomb', earned approximately $350 million. The final film in the trilogy was also the lowest-grossing, but all three were helmed by director Shawn Levy, who has since moved on to helm major blockbusters like 'Deadpool & Wolverine'—a billion-dollar box office sensation.
Recently, it was revealed that Levy is producing a reboot of 'Night at the Museum', this time with a fresh cast and new historical figures. The original trilogy featured a star-studded ensemble, including Rami Malek, Owen Wilson, and the late Robin Williams.
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Image Courtesy: IMDb
While 'Night at the Museum' received mixed critical reviews upon release—it currently holds a 42% rating on Rotten Tomatoes—it became a staple on home video. Many families embraced its imaginative storytelling, centred around a night-shift security guard who discovers the museum exhibits magically come to life after hours.
Meanwhile, 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning' is still crushing it at the box office. As fans flock to see Cruise return as Ethan Hunt, the film’s place in the franchise’s legacy is secured, even if profitability remains a complex equation due to its towering budget.
