When it was released in the cinema he hardly made any money. It quickly became popular on rental by word of mouth like Lawnmower Man. (same name as the Stephen King short story but hardy based on it)
screenrant.com/stephen-king-lawnmower-ma...lawsuit-explained/#:~:text=Angry%20that%20the%20film%20was%20being%20promoted%20as,King%27s%20name%20to%20be%20removed%20from%20all%20marketing.