Title: John Krasinski's Film "IF" Opens Below Expectations with $31.5 Million Weekend

John Krasinski's latest film, "IF," has stumbled out of the gate at the domestic box office, marking the director's worst wide-release debut. The ensemble cast, including Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, Fiona Shaw, and the voices of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., and Steve Carell, couldn't propel the movie to meet its initial projections.

Originally projected to earn $40 million in its opening weekend, "IF" fell short, bringing in a 3-day domestic total of $31.5 million. This disappointing start is by far the lowest-grossing opening weekend of any of Krasinski's three wide-release movies.

The lukewarm reviews from critics, reflected in a 49% score on Rotten Tomatoes, may have contributed to the lackluster performance. Despite the recognizable cast and the presence of an A-list star, "IF" failed to make a strong impact on audiences.

With a budget of $110 million, the film faces an uphill battle to turn a profit. The break-even point could be $220 million or more, taking into account production costs and the fact that theaters typically retain half of ticket sales. This financial challenge raises doubts about the movie's ability to recoup its investment.

Although the opening weekend numbers may seem discouraging, there is still a chance for "IF" to follow a similar trajectory as other family films that initially had underwhelming box office performances but went on to become sleeper hits. One such example is the animated film "Migration," which had a slow start but eventually became the 18th highest-grossing movie of the year worldwide.

"IF" promises to be a star-studded affair, with a noteworthy ensemble cast that includes prominent names in both acting and voice roles. While the initial reception may not have met expectations, the film's fate in the coming weeks remains uncertain as word-of-mouth and potential international audiences could shape its future success.

As the box office continues to rebound from the effects of the pandemic, the performance of "IF" serves as a reminder that even the most anticipated films can face challenges in a highly competitive market.