The beloved romantic comedy starring Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker has turned 20—and it’s still making waves. ‘Failure to Launch’ was landed in Netflix’s global Top 10, proving the 2006 film remains a timeless rom-com even in the streaming era.
GettyOriginally released in 2006, the film arrived at a moment when both stars were at the peak of their popularity. McConaughey was Hollywood’s charming leading man following the massive success of ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days’. Meanwhile, Parker was still enjoying the cultural peak of Sex and the City, which had cemented her as one of television’s most recognizable stars.
Why ‘Failure to Launch’ Became a Quiet Box Office Success
While ‘Failure to Launch’ sits somewhat in the shadow of the biggest hits in both actors’ careers, the romantic comedy performed strongly during its theatrical run.
The film also arrived shortly after another major project for McConaughey, who had recently appeared alongside Al Pacino in Two for the Money. Director Tom Dey hoped the movie would achieve a similar level of success to How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, which grossed $105.8 million domestically.
Box Office: How Much the Rom-Com Earned Worldwide
According to CinemaScore, audiences leaving theaters two decades ago gave ‘Failure to Launch’ a solid “A-” rating. With a modest $50 million budget, the romantic comedy ultimately proved to be a clear box-office success.
The film directed by Tom Dey earned $88.7 million, according to Box Office Mojo. However, $41.5 million came from international markets, bringing its worldwide total to $130.2 million. Adjusted for inflation, the film would have earned roughly $202.9 million today.
GettyNow enjoying renewed popularity through streaming, the movie has racked up 7.8 million viewing hours and 4.8 million global views on Netflix, according to MovieWeb. That strong audience response helped it comfortably land among the platform’s Top 10 films during its first week back in circulation.
Where to Watch ‘Failure to Launch’ Today
The movie premiered nearly a decade before the actor won the Academy Award. His performance in ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ put him in a prestigious place. While the film is not currently available on Netflix in the United States, viewers can still watch it. It’s available on Paramount+ or stream it for free with ads on Pluto TV.
During a conversation earlier this summer with Glenn Powell, McConaughey reflected on his time starring in romantic comedies. The ‘Failure to Launch’ star shared his thoughts in an interview with Interview Magazine:
Getty“I’ve usually zigged when I felt like Hollywood wanted me to zag. When I had my rom-com years, there was only so much bandwidth I could give to those and those were some solid hits for me. But I wanted to try some other stuff. Of course I wasn’t getting it, so I had to leave Hollywood for two years.”
