“The Interview” made almost $1 million at the box office in its limited Christmas Day release, according to a report from Variety.
The Sony Pictures release stands to make more through the holiday weekend and from video on demand sales as well. Consumers are able to stream the film on YouTube, Google Play and other websites.
{mosads}The satire about a television producer who is tasked with assassinating Korean leader Kim Jong Un for the CIA sparked controversy after cyberhackers threatened 9/11 style attacks on theaters.
North Korea has slammed the movie, characterizing it as an act of war. Pyongyang is also believed to be linked to a massive hack of Sony that led to the release of scores of confidential emails and documents.
Major theater chains declined to screen the movie leading Sony to initially cancel the film’s release. That move brought criticism from lawmakers and President Obama, who called the decision a “mistake.”
The studio eventually reached deals to stream the movie online and release it on Christmas Day at 300 independent theaters.
The $40 million-comedy attracted packed crowds, according to reports, with star Seth Rogen appearing at a sold-out show in the Los Angeles-area.
Critics, though, have panned the film, with the movie earning just a 50 percent positive score on the Rotten Tomatoes review site.
Other films with broader releases, though, far surpassed The Interview’s receipts.
“Unbroken,” a film about Olympian Louis Zamperini, who was a prisoner of war during World War II, directed by Angelina Jolie, grossed over $15 million, according to Variety. That film screened at over 3,000 theaters.