From Global Stardom to Local Setback: Mena Massoud’s First Egyptian Film Struggles at the Box Office
After achieving widespread international fame for his role in Disney’s Aladdin, which grossed over $1 billion globally, Egyptian-Canadian actor Mena Massoud surprised Egyptian audiences with his debut appearance in local cinema through the thriller Fi ‘Ez El-Dohr (In Broad Daylight). However, contrary to expectations, the film failed to attract a large audience, sparking questions about the reasons behind the film’s weak box office performance.

Aladdin: A Golden Start via Disney
In 2019, Hollywood welcomed a new star: Mena Massoud, who captivated audiences as the lead in the live-action adaptation of Aladdin, alongside Will Smith as the Genie. The film was a global blockbuster, grossing more than $1 billion worldwide, including $91.5 million in its opening weekend in the U.S. This catapulted Mena into the spotlight and landed him opportunities in international drama productions.

Fi ‘Ez El-Dohr: Big Ambitions, Fading Buzz
Mena chose Fi ‘Ez El-Dohr as his gateway to Egyptian cinema, aiming to bridge his heritage with his global career. The film is an action-thriller centered around “Amr,” a young Egyptian lured into an international mafia syndicate, who eventually rebels in search of freedom and identity.
Despite its intriguing plot and solid production quality, the film earned only 1.477 million EGP (approx. $30,000 USD) in its first three days—falling short of expectations. On Friday alone, it made 555,000 EGP, signaling a weak audience turnout for a film with such a high-profile lead.
Expectations vs. Reality: Was Timing to Blame?
Opinions vary on why the film underperformed. Some blame the lack of a strong marketing campaign, or suggest the film’s genre didn’t align with summer audience preferences, which tend to favor light comedies and family-friendly titles. Others point out that despite Mena’s international fame, many local viewers were unfamiliar with him, and his star power wasn’t leveraged effectively in the Egyptian market.

What’s Next for Mena in Arab Cinema?
Though Fi ‘Ez El-Dohr had a slow start, it’s still a significant milestone for Mena Massoud—both as a connection to his Egyptian roots and as a learning experience about local audience tastes. He may continue exploring roles that balance his global identity with more regionally resonant stories.

The big question remains:
Was this just a brief misstep in an otherwise promising career—or the beginning of a deeper, more grounded journey in Arab cinema?