Why a box office bomb became a cult classic for the Olsen twins
In short: Released in 2004, New York Minute was intended to be the theatrical crowning achievement of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. Instead, it became a notorious box office failure that effectively ended their joint acting careers. Yet, years later, the film has found a second life as a surprising cult classic.
Directed by Dennie Gordon, New York Minute was the Olsen twins' second and final theatrical release, following 1995's It Takes Two. The film served as a high-profile vehicle for the sisters, who were then seventeen. It also marked the final production for their company, Dualstar Entertainment, before it entered dormancy. Shortly after the release, Ashley Olsen retired from acting, while Mary-Kate pursued independent projects.
The plot follows sisters Jane and Roxy Ryan, polar opposites dealing with the loss of their mother, as they navigate a chaotic day in New York City involving a stolen microchip, a truant officer, and a band called Simple Plan. Despite the star power, the film was a financial disaster, grossing only $21.3 million against a $30 million budget. It set a record-low opening for a film playing in over 3,000 theaters, earning just $5.96 million in its North American debut.
Critical reception was overwhelmingly negative. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an 11% approval rating, with critics labeling it a calculated brand extension rather than a genuine film. Roger Ebert famously skewered the production, suggesting it should have bypassed video release entirely. However, the film's legacy has shifted. While initial reviews were harsh, some publications have since re-evaluated the project, finding merit in the very elements that once drew such intense derision, cementing its status as a cult curiosity of the early 2000s.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: New York Minute (film)
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