Despite its critical acclaim, West Side Story has failed to find an audience at the box office.

Steven Spielberg’s version of the iconic musical “West Side Story,” bombed at the box office, with only $10.5 million from 2,820 cinemas. This is a matter for concern since Disney and 20th Century Studios invested $100 million to bring the Shakespearean love story into the modern day, and they stand to lose millions if “West Side Story” fails to hold up at the box office through the holidays and Oscar season.

The picture was expected to earn closer to $15 million in its first weekend, according to projections.

In the Heights, a film version of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical of the same name, also debuted under expectations in June, grossing $11.5 million. And like West Side Story, it received positive reviews and Oscar hype.

At the very least, “West Side Story” outperformed Universal’s remake of “Dear Evan Hansen” which opened to $7.4 million in September while playing solely in cinemas. But, given how harshly “Dear Evan Hansen” was panned by critics, that’s not exactly a lofty standard. “In the Heights” and “Dear Evan Hansen” on the other hand, were far less expensive to produce than “West Side Story.”

The low number of ticket purchasers is partly owing to moviegoers’ tardy return to the theaters in the wake of the COVID-19 epidemic and the omicron variant’s global expansion.

Given that the picture had a lot going for it, the total is a little unexpected. To begin with, it is directed by Steven Spielberg, one of the most well-known and successful film filmmakers in history. His name did not seem to be enough to entice anyone to purchase a ticket.

Another non-franchise picture that struggled at the box office in 2021 was West Side Story. Tent-pole action and adventure films like Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings have done well since cinemas reopened, and Spider-Man: No Way Home is projected to do well next weekend. However, a handful of more adult-oriented films, such as The Last Duel and King Richard, have had a tougher time attracting audiences.

According to Shawn Robbins, chief analyst at BoxOffice.com, “[West Side Story] was largely a victim of timing and an inability to attract younger moviegoers. Women over 35 are the drivers of most musicals. Not only has that audience been the most cautious to return to public social spaces like the movie theater during the pandemic, but renewed concern created by omicron headlines seems to have played a major role in doubling down on that hesitance for the time being.”

Excellent reviews were also insufficient. The picture received critical accolades as well as early Oscar buzz, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 93 percent. Despite receiving a “A” CinemaScore from those who watched it, the film’s box office performance is mediocre at best.

It’s still feasible that strong word of mouth may help West Side Story gain traction at the box office throughout the holiday season. However, while some analysts had high hopes for In the Heights, it never materialized, with the picture grossing less than $30 million domestically.