Sydney Sweeney’s Americana TANKS?! Haters Plot REVENGE at the Box Office?! 😱

The internet’s EXPLODING after Sydney Sweeney’s Americana flopped HARD, pulling in just $500K! Was it her controversial American Eagle ad or something darker driving the hate? 🤔 Fans are divided, and the drama’s juicier than ever! Dig into the shocking details and decide for yourself what sank this film! 👀 👉 Uncover the full story now

Sydney Sweeney, the Euphoria and Anyone But You star, has been a rising force in Hollywood, celebrated for her charisma and box-office draw. However, her latest film, Americana, a crime thriller directed by Tony Tost, crashed at the box office, grossing a mere $500,000 in its opening weekend across 1,123 theaters in August 2025. The film’s dismal performance, one of the lowest wide-release debuts in history, sparked headlines like “Sydney Sweeney’s Americana Bombs” and fueled speculation that backlash from her controversial American Eagle “Great Jeans” campaign played a role (The Hollywood Reporter, August 18, 2025). Did “haters” orchestrate a revenge plot tied to Sweeney’s political stance, or is the story more complex? This article dives into Americana’s failure, the ad controversy, fan reactions, and what this means for Sweeney’s career and the indie film landscape.

The Box Office Flop

Americana, a modern Western set in a South Dakota town, follows a group of outsiders clashing over a rare Lakota Ghost Shirt on the black market. Starring Sweeney as Penny Jo, a wannabe country singer, alongside Paul Walter Hauser, Halsey, and Eric Dane, the film premiered at SXSW in 2023 to solid reviews, earning a 68% Rotten Tomatoes score (ScreenRant, August 17, 2025). Despite this, its theatrical release on August 15, 2025, was a disaster, ranking 16th domestically with a per-theater average of just $450, compared to blockbusters like Weapons ($25M) and Freakier Friday ($14.5M) (The Hollywood Reporter, August 18, 2025).

Initial projections estimated an $840,000 opening, but final numbers confirmed a historic low for a wide release (ScreenRant, August 17, 2025). Critics noted the film’s long delay from its SXSW debut and Lionsgate’s minimal marketing spend under its Premiere label, which focuses on niche, low-budget releases (Deadline, August 18, 2025). However, the narrative of “haters’ revenge” tied to Sweeney’s American Eagle campaign dominated discussions, overshadowing other factors.

The American Eagle Controversy

In July 2025, Sweeney starred in an American Eagle ad campaign titled “Sydney Has Great Jeans,” a play on “genes” and “jeans.” A clip where she said, “Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality, and even eye color. My jeans are blue,” sparked accusations of promoting eugenics and white supremacy, given Sweeney’s blonde hair and blue eyes (Gizmodo, August 19, 2025). Critics on TikTok labeled it “Nazi propaganda,” while others, including President Donald Trump, praised it as “the HOTTEST ad out there” (The Hill, August 18, 2025). A YouGov poll showed only 12% of Americans found the ad offensive, suggesting the backlash was amplified online (Gizmodo, August 19, 2025).

Sweeney’s registration as a Republican in Florida before the 2024 election further fueled the fire. Comments on her Americana Instagram post, like “I lost you at registered Republican” and “So you voted for Trump?” reflected fan disillusionment (Daily Mail, August 17, 2025). Some speculated that this backlash led to boycotts, contributing to Americana’s box-office failure (Bored Panda, August 18, 2025). However, Deadline argues the film was never meant to be a blockbuster, designed instead for Lionsgate’s multi-platform strategy, including premium VOD and streaming (Deadline, August 18, 2025).

Fan and Critic Reactions

The reaction to Americana’s flop was polarized. On X, posts blamed Sweeney’s politics, with one user stating, “Sydney Sweeney’s Republican stance killed Americana. Haters got their revenge” (X post, August 18, 2025). Others defended her, arguing the film’s niche status and lack of marketing were the real culprits: “Calling Americana a bomb is unfair—it’s an indie with a small budget, not a Marvel flick” (X post, August 19, 2025). Critics praised the film’s quirky, Tarantino-esque vibe, with Rolling Stone noting its “admirably weird” narrative and Sweeney’s chemistry with Hauser (TV Insider, August 18, 2025). Halsey’s performance also earned accolades, with Collider claiming she outshone her co-stars (Bored Panda, August 18, 2025).

The “haters’ revenge” narrative gained traction due to Sweeney’s ad controversy and political affiliation. Some fans expressed disappointment, feeling her Republican registration clashed with her progressive Euphoria persona (Reddit, August 18, 2025). Others dismissed the boycott theory, pointing out that Americana’s low awareness, due to its delayed release and minimal promotion, was a bigger factor (SlashFilm, August 19, 2025). The film’s failure to crack Box Office Mojo’s top 20 or The Numbers charts underscored its lack of visibility (Bored Panda, August 18, 2025).

Was It Really a “Bomb”?

Deadline challenges the “bomb” label, arguing that Americana was a niche play under Lionsgate’s Premiere label, which targets specific audiences with low marketing budgets and prioritizes VOD and streaming (Deadline, August 18, 2025). The film’s $500,000 opening, while dismal theatrically, aligns with other indie successes like Neon’s Immaculate, which earned $15.6M domestically on a modest budget (Deadline, August 18, 2025). Lionsgate expects Americana to turn a profit through Starz streaming and VOD, with a projected domestic take of $1.5M (Newsweek, August 20, 2025).

The controversy likely amplified scrutiny, but industry insiders argue it had minimal impact. Lionsgate’s strategy focused on long-term library value and future collaborations with Sweeney and Tost, not theatrical dominance (Deadline, August 18, 2025). The film’s SXSW buzz and 68% Rotten Tomatoes score suggest it could find an audience on streaming platforms like Netflix or HBO Max, where indie films often thrive (Soap Central, August 17, 2025).

The Role of Sweeney’s Political Stance

Sweeney’s Republican registration and the American Eagle ad became lightning rods for criticism. Her defenders, including Trump and right-leaning outlets like Fox News, framed the backlash as “woke” overreach, while critics accused her of aligning with divisive figures (Gizmodo, August 19, 2025). The controversy echoes broader Hollywood debates, seen in reactions to Snow White’s Rachel Zegler, where political stances amplified scrutiny (Variety, March 26, 2025). However, Gizmodo argues the ad’s impact was overstated, with most Americans indifferent (Gizmodo, August 19, 2025).

Sweeney’s social media response, including an Instagram post captioned “a few years ago I filmed this little movie with some friends,” showed her focusing on the film’s personal significance rather than the controversy (Soap Central, August 17, 2025). Her resilience mirrors her career trajectory, from Euphoria to the $220M hit Anyone But You, though flops like Madame Web highlight her uneven box-office record (ScreenRant, August 17, 2025).

Implications for Sweeney’s Career

Americana’s failure is a setback, but Sweeney’s upcoming projects suggest she remains a bankable star. Her role in Ron Howard’s Eden, released August 22, 2025, alongside Ana de Armas and Jude Law, faces similar challenges due to minimal marketing (BroBible, August 18, 2025). However, The Housemaid, a psychological thriller set for Christmas 2025, where Sweeney stars and executive produces, is poised to leverage her star power (Deadline, August 18, 2025). Her ability to rebound from flops like Madame Web and Immaculate’s modest success shows her versatility (TV Insider, August 18, 2025).

The controversy may prompt Sweeney to navigate public statements more cautiously, as seen with stars like Gal Gadot, whose political stances drew similar scrutiny (The Hollywood Reporter, August 17, 2025). Yet, her fanbase remains strong, with supporters on X praising her authenticity: “Sydney’s just living her truth—haters don’t get to define her” (X post, August 19, 2025).

The Indie Film Landscape

Americana’s performance reflects challenges for indie films in a blockbuster-dominated market. Original films struggle theatrically, with audiences favoring franchises like Jurassic World Rebirth ($828.5M globally) (The Cinema Group, August 18, 2025). Lionsgate’s strategy mirrors Neon’s approach with Immaculate, prioritizing streaming over theaters (Deadline, August 18, 2025). Americana’s potential to find an audience on Starz or other platforms highlights the shifting economics of indie cinema, where theatrical runs are often a prelude to digital success (Soap Central, August 17, 2025).

Conclusion

Sydney Sweeney’s Americana may have bombed at the box office, but the “haters’ revenge” narrative oversimplifies a complex story. The American Eagle controversy and Sweeney’s political stance amplified scrutiny, but the film’s niche status, delayed release, and minimal marketing were significant factors. With a 68% Rotten Tomatoes score and praise for its cast, Americana could still thrive on streaming, following the path of other indie successes. Sweeney’s career remains robust, with The Housemaid and Eden on the horizon, but the saga underscores the challenges of navigating fame in a polarized climate. As Hollywood grapples with audience expectations and cultural debates, Americana’s flop is a reminder that success often lies beyond the theater.