A new action movie has cost a lot, but is currently flopping at the box office. It was supposed to be an epic response to blockbusters like Dune.
Which film is it about? Desert Warrior comes from British director Rupert Wyatt, but was partly produced by the Saudi Arabian media company MBC Group and also filmed there.
With a Western director and cast, the project is supposed to be the answer to Hollywood. The film tells the story of Princess Hind, who is to become the concubine of the rival Kisra. However, she does not want that and escapes with her father.
The princess and the king go into the desert, but are promptly pursued by Kisra’s subjects. The fugitives find help from the bandit Hanzala, who brings much battlefield experience.
With a mix of combat, intrigue, and diplomacy, peace is to be established in the end. Will it succeed? Currently, it seems that only a few cinema viewers want to know.
Hardly anyone wants to see the film
How is Desert Warrior doing? According to reports from Deadline, the film is said to have cost around 150 million US dollars, about 127 million €. This would make it the most expensive film ever shot in Saudi Arabia.
Currently, however, it does not look anywhere near as if Desert Warrior could recoup its budget. According to Box Office Mojo, the worldwide revenue is about 695,564 US dollars (as of 07.05.2026, 10:00 AM). That is approximately 591,298 €. In other words: Desert Warrior has only made back 0.47% of its budget.
Things do not look good either when it comes to reviews. 18 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes rate it at 28%. Over 250 users rate it slightly better and give 60%.
The epic scale of the film and the setting are praised, but it lacks the individuality that sets it apart from obvious models like Lawrence of Arabia or Dune.
Well-known actors like Anthony Mackie (Captain America: Brave New World) or Ben Kingsley (Schindler’s List) do not change the final rating: Desert Warrior is a film that will unfortunately soon be forgotten.
When does Desert Warrior premiere in Germany? Currently, there is no date for a cinema release here. Even if the film does not appear in German cinemas, it is expected that it will eventually land on a streaming service or be released on DVD or Blu-Ray.
Would you want to take a trip to the desert despite the unpromising numbers? Feel free to share your opinion in the comments. If you would rather see something that is widely praised, you should give a series on HBO Max a chance: It’s one of the best series in history: In 6 episodes, it achieves more than other productions in many seasons
Your opinion is important to us!
Do you like the article? Then let us know!