The Canadian comedy The Stunt Driver debuted on September 25 with a meager $152 per-screen average across 670 theaters. while the film marks a historic low for 2026 releases, its strong critical reception suggests a potential second life on streaming platforms.
A $152 average and the 15th-lowest debut in history
Directed by Michael Dowse , The Stunt Driver earned a three-day total of $102,000 during its opening weekend. According to the report, this resulted in a per-screen average of just $152, a figure that ranks as the 15th-lowest debut of all time. This performance is being compared to the 15th-anniversary re-release of the 2011 film Bridesmaids, which saw an even lower average of $127.
The film is a comedy remake based on the 1981 documentary The Devil at Your Heels. It follows the character Ken Carter, played by Jay Baruchel, as he attempts a daring one-mile jump over the Saint-Laurent River using a rocket car. despite the underwhelming theatrical numbers, the film has managed to maintain a respectable 76% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.
Five 2026 releases appearing on the all-time low list
The 2026 film landscape is seeing an unusual number of low-performing theatrical releases. As the source notes, The Stunt Driver is one of five new 2026 offerings to land on the chart of the Top 100 lowest per-screen averages of all time. The other films include the Paris Hilton documentary Infinite Icon: A Visual Memoir, the Chinese animated feature Tom and Jerry: Forbidden Compass, the Justin Long horror film Night Patrol, and the Spanish animated feature Buffalo Kids.
However, The Stunt Driver stands out among these low performers because it is the only one to have debuted within the Top 20 of that all-time list. This trend of low per-screen averages contrasts sharply with other recent niche successes. For instance, Charli XCX's mockumentary The Moment and John Wilson's meta-documentary The History of Concrete both achieved significantly higher per-screen averages by utilizing much more limited theatrical runs.
Jay Baruchel faces competition from Avengers Endgame: Encore
The September 25 release date placed The Stunt Driver in direct competition with several other new titles, including Avengers Endgame: Encore, Primetime, Heart of the Beast, and Forgotten Island. While the film debuted at No. 21, it was never expected to challenge the domestic Top 5. The cast features notable names such as Ed Helms, Ben Foster, Jonathan Cherry, and Dan Bakkedahl.
The professional landscape for lead actor Jay Baruchel has also seen recent shifts . The report mentions that Baruchel recently dropped out of the upcoming season of Reacher due to a personal matter, with his role being recast with Chris Marquette. Meanwhile, his co-stars are moving toward other major projects: Ben Foster is set for the Guy Ritchie action film Viva La Madness, and Ed Helms will appear in the comedy She Gets It from Me.
Can a 76% Rotten Tomatoes score spark a VOD recovery?
The central question for the future of The Stunt Driver is whether its critical acclaim can translate into digital success. While the theatrical run appears to be a commercial disappointment, the film may find a "slow-burn" audience through video on demand or streaming services. The high Rotten Tomatoes score suggests that the film's quality might eventually outweigh its poor opening weekend statistics.
It remains unverified whether the film's specific comedic tone will resonate with home viewers as effectively as it did with the critics who reviewed it at the 2026 Toronto International Film Festival. For now, the industry is watching to see if this low-average debut is a permanent failure or merely a precursor to a successful digital lifecycle.
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