10 Awesome 2023 Movies That Didn't Deserve To Flop
9. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
The post-pandemic theatrical landscape has been supremely challenging for many genres, and coming-of-age dramedies have proven an especially tough nut to crack.
With their generally modestly budgeted lack of spectacle, they scream "wait for streaming" to many, that little is to be gained from seeing them on the big screen, and that was evidently why the brilliant Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. cratered at the box office.
Despite its sensible $30 million budget, this adaptation of Judy Blume's seminal 1970 novel finished at just $21.5 million globally - a disastrous result for a rapturously reviewed adaptation of one of the most beloved coming-of-age novels of all time.
Many chose to blame Lionsgate's admittedly sawdust-dry marketing, which failed to emphasise the heart and humour of Kelly Fremon Craig's film, nor Rachel McAdams' standout performance.
Between this and changing audience habits, it's easy to see why most chose to give this one a miss until it landed on streaming.
Had it been adapted 20 or 30 years ago, though - when the novel was at prime popularity and dramas could still print money at the box office - it probably would've done gangbusters business.