Saudi Arabia’s ambitious historical action film Desert Warrior has turned into one of the biggest box office failures in cinema history after reportedly earning only around ₹6 crore worldwide against a massive ₹1400 crore budget, losing 99.6% of the total budget.
Desert Warrior, directed by Rupert Wyatt, was launched as a landmark project aimed at putting Saudi cinema on the global entertainment map. Featuring an international cast including Anthony Mackie, Ben Kingsley, Sharlto Copley and Aiysha Hart, the movie was mounted on a grand scale with elaborate sets, visual effects and large battle sequences. Set in seventh-century Arabia, the story revolved around Princess Hind and a warrior named Hanzala fighting against a powerful ruler. The film struggled badly after release in April 2026. In North America, it reportedly collected less than $500,000 during its opening weekend despite releasing in more than 1,000 theatres. Its performance in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern markets also remained disappointing.
