Apple Studios, known for its successful foray into original filmmaking, experienced its first major box office disappointment with the release of "Argylle." The star-studded spy thriller, directed by Matthew Vaughn, grossed a disappointing $18 million in ticket sales during its debut weekend, according to studio estimates on Sunday.

Despite leading the weekend box office, "Argylle" failed to generate significant interest from moviegoers, signaling a setback for Apple's growing lineup of big-budget releases. While the tech giant has seen success in the film industry with critically acclaimed productions like "CODA," which won an Oscar for Best Picture in 2021, the company's latest venture into high-budget films seemed to have missed the mark.

Apple's previous collaborations with renowned directors Martin Scorsese and Ridley Scott demonstrated promise, if not profitability. "Killers of the Flower Moon," helmed by Scorsese, earned $156 million globally and garnered critical acclaim, earning 10 Academy Award nominations. Similarly, Scott's "Napoleon" collected $219 million worldwide, establishing Apple as a destination for top-tier talent and prestigious filmmaking.

In contrast, "Argylle," featuring a star-studded cast including Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, and Henry Cavill, received a lukewarm reception from both critics and audiences. Critics awarded the film a lackluster 35% "fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while cinema-goers rated it with a C+ CinemaScore. The mixed reviews further dampened the film's prospects at the box office.

To ensure a wide release for "Argylle," Apple partnered with Universal Pictures for its distribution. The film premiered in 3,605 North American venues, earning an additional $17.3 million from 78 international markets. However, despite the ambitious goal of establishing a new franchise, the film failed to resonate with audiences and now faces an uncertain future.

One of the film's talking points prior to its release was the speculation surrounding pop star Taylor Swift's involvement, given the presence of argyle patterns and a cat in the promotional material. However, Swift's association with the movie turned out to be mere conjecture, adding to the disappointment surrounding "Argylle."

In a relatively quiet weekend for the box office, "Argylle" managed to secure the top spot, although its lackluster performance was indicative of the overall subdued ticket sales. The Christian drama series "The Chosen" took second place, grossing $6 million in its initial weekend across 2,263 theaters.

Other notable films that contributed to the weekend's ticket sales were Warner Bros.' "Wonka," which crossed the $200 million mark domestically in its eighth week, Paramount's "Mean Girls," which surpassed $100 million after four weeks, and Amazon MGM's "The Beekeeper," nearing $50 million in its fourth week.

While many Oscar contenders have been in theaters for months, the current favorites among moviegoers remain Cord Jefferson's "American Fiction," which has amassed $15 million domestically for MGM, and Yorgos Lanthimos' "Poor Things," earning $28.2 million domestically and an additional $40.1 million overseas, starring Emma Stone.

Official domestic figures for the weekend's ticket sales will be released on Monday, providing a clearer picture of the industry's overall performance.

In conclusion, Apple's highly anticipated spy thriller "Argylle" fell short of expectations, disappointing both critics and audiences alike. The film's lackluster performance serves as a reminder that even well-established studios can face setbacks in the competitive world of movie-making.