Hemsworth’s Crime 101 Faces Budget Test

Los Angeles, CA – February 19, 2026 – Amazon MGM Studios’ high-stakes heist thriller Crime 101, directed by Bart Layton and headlined by Chris Hemsworth, opened to a modest $14.3 million over the three-day Presidents’ Day weekend (February 13-15, 2026) and an estimated $17.7 million including the four-day holiday frame (per Box Office Mojo and Variety updates). The film placed third domestically behind Warner Bros./MRC’s Wuthering Heights (~$41 million four-day) and Sony’s animated GOAT (~$38 million total so far), with a global start of around $28-28.7 million (including $11.9-12 million international from 60+ territories).

Set in sun-bleached Los Angeles, Crime 101 follows Hemsworth as a patient, strategic jewel thief pulling off elaborate heists while evading a relentless detective (Mark Ruffalo) and getting tangled with an insurance broker (Halle Berry). The ensemble cast includes Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nick Nolte, and Corey Hawkins, delivering a stylish noir vibe inspired by Don Winslow’s source material. Reviews have been strong—87% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes (best among wide holiday openers)—praising the chemistry, tension, and Layton’s direction (fresh off American Animals). Audience scores are mixed with a “B” CinemaScore, indicating solid critical love but less broad appeal.

Released wide in 3,161 theaters on February 13 (with some international starts earlier), the R-rated thriller averaged around $4,500 per location domestically. International highlights include strong showings in the UK ($2 million on 795 screens), Australia ($1.4 million on 360 screens—Hemsworth’s home turf), Saudi Arabia, UAE, Japan, and Germany, though competitive markets limited bigger spikes. Despite positive buzz and Amazon’s marketing push, the performance falls short of expectations for a $90 million production budget (excluding global P&A), putting pressure on legs for theatrical breakeven—analysts note it needs sustained word-of-mouth and counterprogramming to climb.

In context, this mid-February slot saw adult-oriented genre fare struggle against family animation (GOAT) and bold drama (Wuthering Heights), but Crime 101‘s certified-fresh status offers hope for a tail—similar to how thrillers like The Gentlemen or Knives Out built over time. For action fans craving heist intrigue and star power, it’s a solid big-screen pick.

Catch Crime 101 in theaters now—trailers emphasize high-octane sequences, clever twists, and ensemble intensity. Check Fandango or your local AMC/Regal for showtimes, especially with post-holiday deals. If you’re into crime thrillers with sharp dialogue and tension, this could be your weekend watch amid holdovers.

Stay tuned to www.clickusanews.com for weekend updates, deeper reviews, trailer breakdowns, and how Crime 101 performs in its second frame as the box office eyes family/faith contenders.

For more USA news check:

https://clickusanews.com/news/
Latest USA breaking news, national headlines, global affairs, and trending stories.

https://clickusanews.com/sports/
USA sports news, live scores, match highlights, athlete updates, and major sporting events.

https://clickusanews.com/technology/
Technology news covering AI, gadgets, innovation, cybersecurity, and digital trends in the USA.

https://clickusanews.com/entertainment-movies-ott/
Entertainment updates including movies, OTT releases, celebrity news, and pop culture stories.

https://clickusanews.com/business/
Business and finance news with USA market updates, corporate stories, crypto, and economic insights