Oscar-winning director James L. Brooks returns with his first movie in 15 years, Ella McCay. Can a dramedy from a legendary filmmaker attract an audience for its opening weekend? View the box office predictions for Ella McCay below.
What is Ella McCay about?
If you knew nothing about Ella McCay, you could easily tell it’s a James L. Brooks movie after one viewing of the trailer. Brooks loves to tackle family life, intertwining comedy with drama to present a story about the relationships in our lives.
Emma Mackey stars as Ella McCay, a 34-year-old politician who recently became the governor of her home state. Judging by the trailer, Ella’s true challenges exist within her personal life. Ella relies on her aunt, Helen McCay (Jamie Lee Curtis), for guidance, especially when her distant father, Eddie (Woody Harrelson), shows up unannounced.
“In Ella McCay, an idealistic young woman juggles her family and work life in a comedy about the people you love and how to survive them,” the movie’s logline reads.
The ensemble includes Jack Lowden, Rebecca Hall, Kumail Nanjiani, Spike Fearn, Ayo Edebiri, Albert Brooks, and Julie Kavner as Estelle, Ella’s secretary and the film’s narrator.
Brooks writes and directs Ella McCay, his first directorial effort since 2010’s How Do You Know. Brooks’ legendary career includes 1983’s Terms of Endearment, which won Best Picture; 1987’s Broadcast News, a romantic dramedy starring Holly Hunter, William Hurt, and Albert Brooks; and 1997’s As Good as It Gets, which garnered acting Oscars for Jack Nicholson and Helen Hunt.
Brooks is also a longtime producer on The Simpsons.
Brooks produces alongside Richard Sakai, Julie Ansel, and Jennifer Brooks.
Ella McCay opens in theaters on December 12, 2025.
Ella McCay Box Office Odds
| Ella McCay Box Office Opening Weekend: Domestic | Odds |
|---|---|
| Less than $2.5 million | +133 |
| $2.5 million to $3 million | +113 |
| $3 million to $3.5 million | +127 |
| Over $3.5 million | +163 |
Odds via Polymarket on 12/9/25
The days of Brooks’ films becoming box office hits are likely over.
Ella McCay‘s will likely open between $2.5 million and $3.5 million at the domestic box office, according to Polymarket.
Could it overperform? Sure. It’s possible, but don’t expect anything above $10 million.
Ella McCay is a small, grounded story with low stakes that will play well with an older audience looking for a feel-good movie around the holidays. There’s nothing wrong with that! It could be 2025’s version of The Holdovers.
However, it is in danger of being swallowed up at the theaters by Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, Avatar: Fire and Ash, and The Housemaid.
Update: Ella McCay earned approximately $2.1 million in its opening weekend.
