'Jobs' Makes $6.7 Million in Opening Weekend, Below Distributor Projections

jobs_posterAccording to box office reporting service Box Office Mojo (via AppleInsider), Joshua Michael Stern’s Steve Jobs biography "Jobs" made an estimated $6.7 million this weekend, less than the $8-9 million its distributor, Open Road Films, projected. The film was made on a budget of $12 million, and played on 2,381 screens for its opening weekend.

Playing at 2,381 locations, Jobs opened in seventh place with an estimated $6.7 million. While it was never expected to match The Social Network, it's still very disappointing to note that the Steve Jobs biopic earned less than one-third as much as the Facebook story. This is also one of star Ashton Kutcher's lowest openings ever—among nationwide releases, it's only ahead of 2003's My Boss's Daughter ($4.9 million).

Jobs had plenty of issues, including awful reviews and a comedy star playing dramatic (almost never a good idea). Most important, though, was the movie's apparent tonal issues: while plenty of people enjoy their Apple products, the deification of Steve Jobs is a bit of a turn off. Jobs received a weak "B-" CinemaScore, and all indications are that it will disappear from theaters quickly.

The movie has been the subject of mostly poor reviews over the weekend, and currently holds a score of 25 out of 100 on movie review aggregation site Rotten Tomatoes. According to the site, the critical consensus around the movie proclaims that it is an “ambitious but skin-deep portrait of an influential, complex figure,” and further summarizes the film in saying that “Jobs often has the feel of an over-sentimentalized made-for-TV biopic.”

A second Steve Jobs movie, from screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, is also in the works for 2014. In a public appearance last year, Sorkin disclosed that the entire movie "is going to be 3 scenes, and take place in real-time." Each of the three 30-minute scenes will take place backstage before three significant events in Jobs’ career, including the launches of the original Mac, the NeXT cube, and the iPod.

Popular Stories

iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
iOS 26

When Will Apple Release iOS 26.2?

Monday December 1, 2025 4:37 pm PST by
We're getting closer to the launch of the final major iOS update of the year, with Apple set to release iOS 26.2 in December. We've had three betas so far and are expecting a fourth beta or a release candidate this week, so a launch could follow as soon as next week. Past Launch Dates Apple's past iOS x.2 updates from the last few years have all happened right around the middle of the...
Sad Siri Feature

Apple AI Chief John Giannandrea Retiring After Siri Delays

Monday December 1, 2025 2:16 pm PST by
Apple AI chief John Giannandrea is stepping down from his position and retiring in spring 2026, Apple announced today. Giannandrea will serve as an advisor between now and 2026, with former Microsoft AI researcher Amar Subramanya set to take over as vice president of AI. Subramanya will report to Apple engineering chief Craig Federighi, and will lead Apple Foundation Models, ML research, and ...
Netflix Smaller 4

Netflix Kills Casting From Its Mobile App to Most Modern TVs

Monday December 1, 2025 4:36 am PST by
Netflix has quietly removed the ability to cast content from its mobile apps to most modern TVs and streaming devices, including newer Chromecast models and the Google TV Streamer. The change was first spotted by users on Reddit and confirmed in an updated Netflix support page (via Android Authority), which now states that the streaming service no longer supports casting from mobile devices...
Cyber Week Deals 2025

Best Cyber Week Apple Deals Include Big Discounts on AirPods, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 30, 2025 7:33 am PST by
Cyber Week is here, and you can find popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more at all-time low prices. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Specifically,...
maxresdefault

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
studio display purple february

M5 iPad Pro Could Hint at New Studio Display Feature

Sunday November 30, 2025 10:30 am PST by
The updated specs of the M5 iPad Pro may point toward a major new feature for Apple's next-generation Studio Display expected in early 2026. Apple's latest iPad Pro debuted last month and contains one display-related change that stands out: it can now drive external monitors at up to 120Hz with Adaptive Sync. The feature should deliver lower latency, smoother motion, and fewer visual...
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
Touchscreen MacBook Feature

Here Are the Four MacBooks Apple Is Expected to Launch Next Year

Monday December 1, 2025 5:00 am PST by
2026 could be a bumper year for Apple's Mac lineup, with the company expected to announce as many as four separate MacBook launches. Rumors suggest Apple will court both ends of the consumer spectrum, with more affordable options for students and feature-rich premium lines for users that seek the highest specifications from a laptop. Below is a breakdown of what we're expecting over the next ...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Still Available

Friday November 28, 2025 6:24 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...

Top Rated Comments

AfternoonDelete Avatar
160 months ago
This would never have happened if Steve were around.
Score: 52 Votes (Like | Disagree)
shootingrubber Avatar
160 months ago
Is this really that surprising?
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DrMotownMac Avatar
160 months ago
First of all, I actually enjoyed the movie in spite of what the critics said. While Ashton Kutcher is far from Sir Lawrence Olivier, there are a lot of worse actors in Hollywood, and the movie itself was very interesting, especially with respect to the dynamics between Steve and the Apple board in the mid 80s and again in the late 90s when he returned. While many details and conversations may have been inaccurate, the GIST of the movie was very accurate, even when comparing it to the known facts that are out there (from Isaacson's book as well as "Pirates of Silicon Valley", for example).

Meanwhile, Sorkin's screenplay consists of THREE 30 MINUTE SCENES IN REAL TIME, BACKSTAGE BEFORE PRODUCT LAUNCHES?!? And that is considered to be a better way to show a biography? I mean, I get the whole artsy-fartsy thing, and Sorkin snorts all kinds of mind altering drugs, and it's "thinking different" and all that crap, but seriously? Did Sorkin even READ Walter Isaacson's book? That is not at all how the book told the story!! And does anyone think that movie is going to be able to capture Jobs' personality and everything he did in 3 scenes in real time?!?!

It would be one thing if he were taking the non-linear approach of using the product launches to have flashbacks to the 1970s, etc., thus actually showing Jobs' life. But I'm not sure I'm interested re-watching Steve Jobs launch the Mac, the Next Cube and the iPod. I know, you're all just itching to give me the no-longer-available "thumbs down", because I didn't tow the party line and bash Ashton Kutcher while praising Aaron Sorkin. But I think his interpretation of Walter Isaacson's book SUCKS, and this method of telling a great man's life story in 3 real-time half hour scenes is ridiculous.

Well, that's my two cents. I think if some of you people can forget "Dude, Where's My Car?" and "That 70's Show" for two hours and just go in with an open mind, you may actually enjoy this "Jobs" movie more than you think...particularly if you're an already knowledgeable Apple enthusiast. And I think that's a forgone conclusion if you're reading and posting on the MacRumors Forum.

P.S. The reason Woz hated it is because he was portrayed as a minor player in the Apple saga, at least following the Apple II. Plus Josh Gad is a fat clown, and Woz wasn't even fat until the past 10 or 15 years. I would have hated it too if Josh Gad were playing me!
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nfl46 Avatar
160 months ago
This should have went straight to DVD/iTunes for download.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iapplelove Avatar
160 months ago
I'm sure most would rather just download this one when available and watch it at home
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JackieInCo Avatar
160 months ago
The average person would not be interested in this. Only people who knew who Steve Jobs was and even then, were die hard fans, would go see this movie.

There are many people who own Apple products who don't even know who he was.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)