DUMB MONEY (2023): Craig Gillespie’s Comedic Drama Switches Release Date for a Platform-Style Roll Out

Dumb Money to Open Platform Style

Sony has opted to release its new comedy/drama, Dumb Money, in a platform release style to allow for strong word of mouth to build before eventually going wide on October 6th.

When filmmaker Craig Gillespie made 2021’s Cruella, he proved he was a director at the top of his game. His next film, Dumb Money, is hopefully going to be equally stellar. It’s a comedic drama based on the rise and fall of GameStop stock. Think back to Boiler Room from 2000 to get a feel for what the new movie will be like. That 2000 film was one of the really great stock market dramas of its time. Dumb Money certainly doesn’t want to get lost in the fall movie shuffle so Sony has decided to release it in select markets for three weeks before going wide with its release.

Dumb Money was originally slated for a September 22nd wide release. Now, the movie will be seen in New York and L.A. a week earlier than was anticipated on September 15th. This style of release should serve to help positive word of mouth build on what is a highly anticipated movie given Craig Gillespie’s involvement and a cast of high-profile actors. That cast includes the likes of Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, Pete Davidson, Shailene Woodley, and fresh off her stellar turn in Barbie, America Ferrera.

It is going to be interesting to see the reception of the new picture at the Toronto Film Festival next month where it could be decided how successful Dumb Money will be based on how long its standing ovation is. The trailers for Dumb Money promise a fascinating story of wealth where money is made and lost based on a faulty rumor regarding GameStop stock. This movie is based on a compelling true story.

Paul Dano is coming off a highly regarded pair of roles from last year. He starred in terrific performances in both The Batman and The Fabelmans. Seth Rogen (another alumni from The Fabelmans) couldn’t be more in demand judging from the solid reception of his current Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem release. Pete Davidson did a fine but brief turn in Bodies Bodies Bodies while America Ferrera is amazing in her wonderful role in the current smash hit, Barbie. Shailene Woodley is coming off a minor disappointment with To Catch a Killer so will use the exposure in Dumb Money to help recapture the success she had in movies like The Fault in Our Stars.

While Dumb Money is going to be a really intense look at an usual situation, it doesn’t necessarily spell box-office smash at the box-office with its plot alone. Boiler Room only grossed $16 million domestically. But, Dumb Money could be a winner at the box-office despite the odds. That’s because adult movies typically do better opening in less theaters to let word of mouth build to the point where more interest is increased by the time the film goes wide. I predict Dumb Money could do $45-55 million if reviews are strong and Sony’s releasing strategy proves to be successful.

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