Release: Spelljammer

 

Spelljammer

Genre: Action/Sci-Fi/Comedy

Director: Zack Snyder

Writer: Dawson Edwards

Based on the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting

Cast: Will Smith, Tye Sheridan, Gal Gadot, Jason Isaacs, William H. Macy (voice), Gerard Butler (voice), Naomi Scott

Budget: $160,000,000

Domestic Box Office: $53,295,002

Foreign Box Office: $105,099,700

Total Profit: -$100,093,889

Reaction: The poor showing at the domestic box office doomed this one. While it's not the biggest flop in LRF history, it's not far off. Will Smith has a couple films on that list now. It also joins the list of D&D-inspired films that have flopped at the box office. This was meant to be the start of a new franchise, but unfortunately based on these numbers that won't be able to happen.

"Zack Snyder’s Spelljammer is messy, overstuffed, and occasionally indulgent — but it’s also energetic, visually confident, and surprisingly sincere about its space-fantasy weirdness. Will Smith leans into rogue charm without overpowering the ensemble, while Tye Sheridan and Naomi Scott ground the cosmic chaos with genuine stakes. The humor doesn’t always land, but when the film commits to scale, spectacle, and pulpy adventure, it delivers a lively, unapologetic ride that feels more curious than cynical." - Cal Crowe, Washington Globe

"Spelljammer offers a visually spectacular journey that is ultimately held back by its profound familiarity. The script successfully captures the charismatic "found family" dynamic of modern sci-fi hits, powered by witty dialogue and action sequences seemingly tailor-made for director Zack Snyder. Unfortunately, the narrative leans heavily on underdeveloped villains and convenient plot twists, sacrificing originality for a breakneck pace. This results in a film that feels more like a collection of cool, borrowed moments than a cohesive, groundbreaking adventure. While it’s a surefire popcorn flick, Spelljammer is a dazzling but ultimately forgettable ride that never quite charts its own course through the stars." - Ted Milo, Montasefilm

"Spelljammer feels redundant coming from Zack Snyder, retreading ground he already explored more coherently in Rebel Moon. Once again, we get solemn myth-making, cosmic tyrants, and slow-motion operatics — but here they’re awkwardly paired with jokey banter that never fits. Will Smith’s loose charisma clashes with the film’s self-serious style, and the familiar genre scaffolding offers little novelty even within its own niche. What might have been pulpy and strange instead plays like a lesser remix of ideas from other space operas." - Dave Manning, Ridgefield Press

Rated PG-13 for sci-fi/fantasy action violence, peril, language, and thematic elements.