Paramount Photos’ Bob Marley biopic “Bob Marley: One Love” outperformed expectations to debut at No. 1 on the field workplace with a $27.7 million opening weekend, whereas Sony’s “Madame Internet” flopped with one of many lowest debuts for a film centered on a Marvel character.
Each movies launched in theaters on Tuesday to rope in Valentine’s Day moviegoers. However on a weekend that was as soon as anticipated to go to “Madame Internet,” “One Love” emerged because the much-preferred possibility in theaters, regardless of largely poor evaluations.
As a substitute, “One Love,” starring Kingsley Ben-Adir and produced with the involvement of the Marley property, carried out roughly on par with earlier hit musical biopics like “Rocketman” and “Elvis.” Paramount is forecasting that “One Love” will gross $51 million over its first six days, together with estimates for President’s Day on Monday. It added $29 million from 47 worldwide territories.
Chris Aronson, distribution chief for Paramount, famous that pre-release projections forecast a six-day complete nearer to $30 million for “One Love.” However moviegoers from a variety turned out for the primary big-screen biopic of the Rastafarian legend.
“It was throughout all generations. It wasn’t only a film for an older viewers that grew up with Bob Marley’s music,” stated Aronson. “Our highest quadrant was (age) 18 to 24. A 3rd of the viewers was below 25. That, to me, speaks volumes.”
Produced for about $70 million, “One Love,” directed by Reinaldo Marcus Inexperienced, chronicles Marley through the making of the 1977 album “Exodus” whereas main as much as a pivotal live performance for his native Jamaica. Among the many film’s producers are Marley’s youngsters, Ziggy and Cedella, and his spouse, Rita.
Ziggy Marley, in an announcement Sunday, stated: “We thank the folks for embracing this movie and in so doing serving to to spotlight the message of 1 love.”
Although critics dinged the movie (43% “recent” on Rotten Tomatoes) for counting on biopic conventions, audiences gave it a a lot greater grade, with an “A” CinemaScore. That form of viewers response plus the robust opening ought to bode properly for the movie’s run.
“Madame Internet,” nevertheless, was lifeless on arrival. Over six days, Sony is estimating a $15.2 million weekend and a six-day $25.8 million haul. Audiences (a “C+” CinemaScore) agreed with critics (13% “recent”).
Such launches have been as soon as unfathomable for stand-alone superhero movies. However the movie, an extension of Sony’s universe of Spider-Man movies, struggled to shed the dangerous buzz surrounding the $80 million venture. In it, Dakota Johnson stars as a New York paramedic with clairvoyant powers.
“Your complete superhero style has had a very tough go of it over the previous yr,” stated Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for knowledge agency Comscore. “Sure issues are not a certain guess. Besides perhaps now, the musical biopic has develop into the go-to style. It simply reveals how tastes can change.”
Sony’s Spider-Man spinoffs have been largely hit or miss. Its two “Venom” movies have collectively surpassed $1.3 billion worldwide. However 2022’s poorly obtained “Morbius” collected simply $167.4 million globally. “Madame Internet” nonetheless couldn’t come near the $39 million home opening weekend for “Morbius.” In 61 abroad markets, “Madame Internet” added $25.7 million.
The higher information for Sony’s Spider-verse got here Saturday night time at the 51st Annie Awards, the place “Spider-Man: Throughout the Spider-Verse” received greatest function and picked up seven prizes in complete. “Throughout the Spider-Verse” is nominated for greatest animated function on the Academy Awards — and the Annie Awards can usually be an excellent predictor of winner.
The 2024 field workplace has gotten off to a sobering begin for Hollywood, and the disappointing outcome for “Madame Internet” received’t assist. Moviegoing has slowed to a crawl in current weeks, whereas 2023’s strikes have impacted this yr’s launch schedules. Even with the robust “One Love” opening, ticket gross sales have been down 15% on the weekend in comparison with 2023, based on ComScore.
Expectations are excessive for “Dune: Half Two,” opening March 1. Till then, “Bob Marley: One Love” shall be jammin’.
Estimated ticket gross sales for Friday via Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, based on Comscore. Closing home figures shall be launched Monday.
1. “Bob Marley: One Love,” $27.7 million.
2. “Madame Internet,” $15.2 million.
3. “Argylle,” $4.7 million.
4. “Migration,” $3.8 million.
5. “The Chosen,” Episodes 4-6, $3.4 million.
6. “Wonka,” $3.4 million.
7. “The Beekeeper,” $3.3 million.
8. “Anybody However You,” $2.4 million.
9. “Lisa Frankenstein,” $2 million.
10. “Land of Dangerous,” $1.8 million.
