In a disappointing debut, the horror comedy film "Lisa Frankenstein" failed to bring its monstrous creation to life at the North American box office during its opening weekend. Directed by Zelda Williams in her directorial debut, the 1980s-set teenage riff on Mary Shelley's classic tale received mixed to negative reviews, ultimately landing itself in the second-place spot.

According to studio estimates on Sunday, "Lisa Frankenstein" garnered $3.8 million in earnings, falling behind the spy thriller "Argylle," which claimed the top position with $6.5 million. Matthew Vaughn's "Argylle" has amassed a domestic total of $28.8 million in its first two weekends, making it Apple's first major theatrical flop with its $200 million production budget.

"Lisa Frankenstein," distributed by Focus Features, was screened in 3,144 locations, but it failed to resonate with audiences. The film's lackluster performance came as no surprise, as industry-wide earnings for the Super Bowl weekend tallied around $40 million, down nearly 25% from the previous year. Previously, films like "Taken" and "American Sniper" managed to capture substantial earnings during the same weekend.

The dismal box office numbers reflect a lackluster movie marketplace, further exacerbated by the ongoing pandemic. Analyst Paul Dergarabedian commented on the dearth of new releases, attributing the industry's slow momentum to the lowest grossing Super Bowl weekend in the modern era.

While "Lisa Frankenstein" may have stumbled upon arrival, its connection to "Jennifer's Body," written by Diablo Cody and directed by Karyn Kusama, offers a glimmer of hope. Although the 2009 release initially underwhelmed critics and audiences, it has gained appreciation and achieved a cult following over the past 15 years.

Looking ahead, the coming weeks bring the release of two larger films, "Bob Marley: One Love" and "Madame Web," but significant improvement at the box office is not expected until "Dune: Part Two" hits theaters on March 1. This natural ebb and flow of theater attendance, according to Dergarabedian, suggests that the box office will eventually recover.

Despite "Lisa Frankenstein" falling short commercially, its existence serves as a reminder of the ever-changing tides within the film industry. As audiences eagerly anticipate the return of robust theatrical experiences, the hope for future box office successes remains steadfast.