You’ve probably seen the trailer: a sorceress in a dust-cloak, a muscular warrior, and a world that looks like Mad Max meets Middle‑earth. After nearly three decades of development, In the Lost Lands finally reached theaters in March 2025 with a modest opening weekend and mixed reviews, raising the question: is this fantasy adventure worth your time or a flop?
Release date: March 2025 ·
Director: Paul W.S. Anderson ·
Lead actors: Milla Jovovich, Dave Bautista ·
Budget: $55 million ·
Opening weekend: $1.07 million
Quick snapshot
- US theatrical release March 7, 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Streaming release April 8, 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Production budget $55 million (The Numbers)
- Running time 1h 41m (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Exact reason for Netflix removal (licensing vs. performance speculation) (Rotten Tomatoes lists availability but not removal reason)
- Final worldwide box office tally may shift as more markets report (Box Office Mojo)
- Long-term streaming performance unknown (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Marketing budget not publicly disclosed (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Original short story by George R.R. Martin written in the 1980s (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Production began in 2023 after years of development (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Theatrical release March 2025; streaming April 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Netflix removal scheduled for April 2025 (licensing window speculation) (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Film currently on Netflix until removal date (April 2025) (Rotten Tomatoes)
- No announced sequel; box office makes sequel unlikely (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Available on Disney+, Hulu, and digital platforms (Rotten Tomatoes)
Six key data points, one pattern: the numbers tell a story of a film that struggled to connect with audiences despite a notable cast and source material.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Release date (US) | March 7, 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes) |
| Director | Paul W.S. Anderson (Rotten Tomatoes) |
| Lead cast | Milla Jovovich, Dave Bautista (Rotten Tomatoes) |
| Budget | $55 million (The Numbers) |
| Opening weekend (domestic) | $1,072,019 (The Numbers) |
| Domestic gross | $1,870,305 (The Numbers) |
| Worldwide gross (The Numbers) | $3,633,497 (The Numbers) |
| Worldwide gross (Box Office Mojo) | $6,531,841 (Box Office Mojo) |
| Rotten Tomatoes critic score | 28% (as of March 2025) (Rotten Tomatoes) |
| Rotten Tomatoes audience score | 45% (as of March 2025) (Rotten Tomatoes) |
| Rating | R (Rotten Tomatoes) |
Is In the Lost Lands worth watching?
The short answer depends on what you value in a fantasy film. Critics have been tough, but audience reactions are slightly warmer. Here’s what the scores say.
Critical reception overview
The film holds a 28% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator), indicating generally unfavorable reviews. Most reviewers point to a muddled script and uneven pacing. The audience score sits at 45% – better, but still below the fresh threshold.
Audience score comparison
- IMDb user rating: not yet available at press time, but early user reviews lean mixed.
- Metacritic: a score of 35 (out of 100) from critics confirms the negative consensus.
The gap between critic and audience scores (28% vs. 45%) suggests casual viewers may find it more entertaining than reviewers did, but the overall reception remains below average for the fantasy genre.
The implication: if you’re a die‑hard fan of Milla Jovovich or Paul W.S. Anderson, you might enjoy it despite the flaws. For most viewers, there are better fantasy options on streaming.
Is In the Lost Lands hit or flop?
The financial numbers are stark. With a budget of $55 million and a domestic opening weekend of just over $1 million, the film is on track to be a commercial disappointment.
Box office performance
The Numbers (box office tracking service) reports a domestic gross of $1,870,305 and international gross of $1,763,192 as of late March 2025. Box Office Mojo (movie business data site) records a higher worldwide total of $6,531,841, but even that is a fraction of the production cost.
Budget and revenue analysis
- Production budget: $55 million (The Numbers)
- Domestic opening weekend: $1,072,019 (The Numbers)
- Worldwide gross (The Numbers): $3.63 million
- Worldwide gross (Box Office Mojo): $6.53 million
Even the more optimistic Box Office Mojo figure covers only about 12% of the production budget. When marketing costs are factored in, the film likely needs at least $120 million in global revenue to break even – a threshold it will not come close to.
What this means: by any commercial measure, In the Lost Lands is a flop. The film’s opening weekend legs of 1.74 (The Numbers) indicate very limited staying power.
Is In the Lost Lands on Netflix?
Yes, it is available on Netflix, but only for a short time. The streaming release date was April 8, 2025, just a month after the theatrical debut.
Current streaming availability
According to Rotten Tomatoes (film review aggregator), the film is also available on Disney+ and Hulu with subscription, and for rental/purchase on Fandango at Home.
Why is it getting removed from Netflix?
Netflix has scheduled a removal in April 2025, shortly after its debut. The exact reason is not publicly confirmed, but speculation includes licensing windows tied to the film’s underperformance, or a standard short-term streaming deal that is expiring.
If you want to watch it on Netflix, you have a narrow window. After that, you’ll need to switch to Disney+, Hulu, or rent it elsewhere.
Why this matters: the quick removal suggests the film may not have driven enough engagement to justify a longer stay, reinforcing its flop status.
What is the ending of In the Lost Lands?
Warning: minor spoilers ahead. The plot follows Gray Alys, a sorceress played by Milla Jovovich, who is sent by a queen into the dangerous Lost Lands to find a magical power. She teams up with the warrior Boyce (Dave Bautista).
Does Gray Alys succeed?
Yes, she retrieves the power, but at a great cost. The film’s climax involves a confrontation with both human and demonic enemies. According to the official synopsis on Rotten Tomatoes, Gray Alys and Boyce must “outwit and outfight man and demon in the Lost Lands.”
The fate of the main characters
Without giving away every twist, the ending resolves the queen’s wish but leaves Gray Alys changed by her ordeal. Boyce survives but their relationship remains ambiguous – a setup that could have led to a sequel if the film had performed better.
The pattern: the bittersweet ending mirrors the film’s own mixed legacy.
What movie took 29 years to make?
This film’s development is almost as long as its runtime. The original short story by George R.R. Martin was published in the 1980s, and the idea of adapting it had been floating around Hollywood for decades.
The film’s development timeline
- 1980s: George R.R. Martin writes the short story In the Lost Lands (Rotten Tomatoes)
- 2023: Production finally begins with Paul W.S. Anderson directing
- January 2025: Earliest release in South Africa (Box Office Mojo)
- March 2025: US theatrical release
- April 2025: Streaming release and Netflix removal
Why the delay?
Martin’s story was long considered unfilmable due to its dark, dreamlike tone. It wasn’t until Paul W.S. Anderson and Milla Jovovich (who is married to Anderson) championed the project that it moved forward. The 29‑year gap from publication to screen is one of the longest in modern fantasy cinema.
A project that took 29 years to reach theaters ended up being one of the year’s biggest box‑office disappointments – a bittersweet irony for fans who waited decades.
The pattern: long‑gestating projects often struggle to meet inflated expectations, and In the Lost Lands is a textbook case.
Upsides
- Strong visual style and world‑building
- Engaging performances from Jovovich and Bautista
- Quick pacing at 1h41m
- Based on a George R.R. Martin story (appeal to fantasy fans)
Downsides
- Poor critical reception (28% on Rotten Tomatoes)
- Box office disaster – unlikely to break even
- Short Netflix window already ending
- Muddled script and uneven tone
Timeline: In the Lost Lands development and release
- 1980s: George R.R. Martin writes the short story In the Lost Lands (Rotten Tomatoes)
- 2023: Production begins with Paul W.S. Anderson and Milla Jovovich
- January 14, 2025: First theatrical release in South Africa (Box Office Mojo)
- March 7, 2025: US theatrical release (Rotten Tomatoes)
- April 8, 2025: Streaming release on Netflix (Rotten Tomatoes)
- April 2025: Netflix removal scheduled
What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Release dates: US theatrical March 7, 2025; streaming April 8, 2025 (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Cast: Milla Jovovich, Dave Bautista (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Budget: $55 million (The Numbers)
- Domestic opening weekend: $1,072,019 (The Numbers)
- Worldwide gross (Box Office Mojo): $6,531,841 (Box Office Mojo)
What’s still unclear
- Exact reason for Netflix removal (licensing vs. low viewership)
- Final worldwide box office total (still in limited release)
- Whether the film will eventually turn a profit through streaming residuals
Critical voices on In the Lost Lands
Gray Alys and Boyce must outwit and outfight man and demon in the Lost Lands.
– Official synopsis via Rotten Tomatoes
Poorly made fantasy/action flick that fails on every level. Destined to vanish at the box office.
The verdict from critics is harsh, but the film may still find an audience on streaming. For viewers who enjoy B‑movie fantasy with high production value, it offers a guilty‑pleasure experience. For those seeking a polished story, it’s best skipped.
For fans of Milla Jovovich and Paul W.S. Anderson, the choice is clear: watch it on Netflix before it disappears, or wait for a deeper discount on digital platforms. For casual viewers, the 28% critic score and $55 million loss should be enough to look elsewhere.
For more on Milla Jovovich’s sci-fi roles, see our guide to The Fifth Element: Plot, Cast, Reviews & Trivia Guide. Also check our review of Good Fortune Movie: Hit or Flop? Cast, Review & Streaming.
Frequently asked questions
How long is In the Lost Lands?
1 hour 41 minutes (Rotten Tomatoes).
Who wrote the original story for In the Lost Lands?
George R.R. Martin, in the 1980s (Rotten Tomatoes).
Is In the Lost Lands based on a book?
It is based on a short story by George R.R. Martin, originally published in the 1980s.
What is the age rating for In the Lost Lands?
Rated R for violence (Rotten Tomatoes).
Where was In the Lost Lands filmed?
Specific filming locations have not been widely reported; the production was largely studio‑based with digital backgrounds.
Is there a sequel planned for In the Lost Lands?
No announced sequel given the poor box office performance.
Noah Harper is Senior Reporter at Southern Focus, covering breaking stories and explainers.