Scarlett Johansson’s $7 Million Sci-Fi Box Office Bomb Is Quietly One Of Her Best Movies

This Scarlett Johansson box office bomb is quietly one of the best movies of her entire career, and now’s the time to watch the underrated sci-fi gem. Johansson is one of Hollywood’s brightest stars, and she is no stranger to billion-dollar blockbusters. However, she’s also appeared in her fair share of lesser-known films as well.

Johansson’s versatility is her greatest asset, and she fits into any size production with ease. Whether she’s headlining the MCU or giving a stellar dramatic performance in movies like Marriage Story, Johansson is always on her A-game. Lately, she’s become Hollywood’s favorite franchise fixer, coming in to breathe new life into series like Jurassic World and The Exorcist.

Though many of her films are huge hits, others have slipped through the cracks. She’s been around long enough that Johansson has a few cult classics under her belt. One such film is turning 13 this year, and is without a doubt the most unique film in her extensive filmography. Its stellar reviews are unfortunately offset by an abysmal box office record.

The film may have bombed upon release, but is often celebrated by all who have seen it. In an era of exciting science fiction, this film still manages to make its contemporaries look mundane by comparison. It’s a challenging work overall, but a rewarding one nonetheless. Like all great sci-fi, this criminally underrated film is designed to make the audience think.

Under The Skin Was Criminally Underappreciated At The Box Office

Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin is not the type of film destined for great financial success, and the surreal science fiction flick only mustered a dismal $7 million against a budget of over $13 million. Despite starring Scarlett Johansson, and featuring her heavily in the marketing, the film couldn’t get much of a response from the average moviegoer.

On the other hand, the film received excellent reviews and was showered with numerous accolades. Under the Skin made dozens of appearances on best-of lists for both the year and for the 2010s as a whole. In retrospect, the A24 release was a victim of poor timing and a lack of proper marketing. In 2026, Under the Skin may have fared much better with a more receptive audience.

Sci-fi was having a moment in the 2010s, but no film from that era was quite like Under the Skin. Johansson stars as an alien who disguises itself as a human female in order to prey on humanity. Eschewing the usual trapping of the genre, the film’s sparse tone is designed to leave the viewer feeling cold. It reflects the painful and transactional nature of human interaction in a way that few films can.

Scotland is transformed into an almost alien landscape, and the film’s specifically sci-fi imagery is designed to be surreal. It perfectly blends sci-fi and horror, though it leans more toward the former. Like all great sci-fi, Under the Skin is merely a platform for its storytelling, and the themes are what’s most important. Johansson’s performance nails the extraterrestrial nature of her character, but she does so with subtlety.

Under The Skin’s New Streaming Release Offers The Movie Another Chance

Under the Skin has officially joined the Netflix catalog, and the criminally underappreciated sci-fi horror movie has another chance to win an audience. Though it’s nearly impossible to predict what will be a hit on streaming, surprise successes are almost always movies with big stars. Johansson’s continuing popularity could lead a lot of curious streamers to watch the film.

It’s bound to be a divisive inclusion on Netflix, but it will doubtlessly find the right viewers. Streaming has helped to resurrect numerous hidden gems, and Under the Skin could be next in line for the Netflix bump. Regardless, it will always be one of Scarlett Johansson‘s best movies, and a reflection of her talents as a performer and movie star.

Source: Box Office Mojo

Birthdate

November 22, 1984

Birthplace

New York City, NY, U.S.A.

Occupation(s)

Actor, Director, Musician

First On-Screen Role

North (1999)

Current Spouse

Colin Jost