'The Social Network' Long-Awaited Follow-Up Officially Removed From Almost 2,000 Theaters

It's mad to think that the creation of the social media platform that your distant relatives use to share crudely constructed Minions memes, AI videos mistaken to be real, and accidentally putting people's names in their status bars was actually one of the most cutthroat, sinister, and savage business moves of all time. The drama behind the creation of Facebook ended up winning Academy Awards, but while David Fincher's original film became a modern classic, its long-awaited follow-up hasn't exactly enjoyed the same success.

The Social Reckoning has officially been removed from 1,987 theaters across North America, dropping from 2,606 locations to just 619 as it enters its third weekend. That's a staggering 76.2% reduction in its theatrical footprint, coming after the movie struggled to attract audiences during its opening two weeks. The sequel earned just $5 million during its domestic opening weekend, before falling 72% to approximately $1.4 million in its second frame.

Inspired by true events and the whistleblower who started the social media reckoning we’re seeing play out today, this Aaron Sorkin original screenplay is a companion piece to the hit film The Social Network and a true David and Goliath story. Frances Haugen, a young Facebook engineer, enlists the help of Jeff Horwitz, a Wall Street Journal reporter, to go on a dangerous journey that ends up blowing the whistle on the social network’s most guarded secrets.

The cast is led by Mikey Madison (Anora) as Frances Haugen, Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) as Jeff Horwitz and Jeremy Strong (Succession) as Mark Zuckerberg, alongside Wunmi Mosaku (Sinners), Betty Gilpin (GLOW), Billy Magnussen (Game Night), and Bill Burr (The Mandalorian).

How Badly Has 'The Social Reckoning' Performed?

The sequel had earned approximately $8.7 million domestically and $14.7 million worldwide through the latest available box office reporting, putting it well behind the commercial performance of its predecessor. The original The Social Network earned approximately $224 million worldwide against a reported $40 million production budget, while also receiving eight Academy Award nominations and winning three, including Best Adapted Screenplay for Sorkin, who took on full duties for this movie instead. But despite the golden reputation of the first film, the sequel has struggled to turn that recognition into ticket sales. With fewer than 650 theaters remaining, its chances of a significant domestic box-office recovery are increasingly slim.

The Social Reckoning is playing in select theaters.