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 Web” 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 Web,” “One Love” emerged because the much-preferred possibility in theaters, regardless of largely poor critiques.
As a substitute, “One Love,” starring Kingsley Ben-Adir and produced with the involvement of the Marley estate, 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 whole 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 across all generations. It wasn’t just a movie for an older audience that grew up with Bob Marley’s music,” stated Aronson. “Our highest quadrant was (age) 18 to 24. A third of the audience was under 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 kids, Ziggy and Cedella, and his spouse, Rita.
Ziggy Marley, in an announcement Sunday, stated: “We thank the people for embracing this film and in so doing helping to highlight the message of one love.”
Although critics dinged the film (43% “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes) for counting on biopic conventions, audiences gave it a a lot larger grade, with an “A” CinemaScore. That type of viewers response plus the sturdy opening ought to bode properly for the movie’s run.
“Madame Web,” nonetheless, was useless 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% “fresh”).
Such launches had 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 unhealthy buzz surrounding the $80 million challenge. In it, Dakota Johnson stars as a New York paramedic with clairvoyant powers.
“The entire superhero genre has had a really rough go of it over the past year,” stated Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for knowledge agency Comscore. “Certain things are no longer a sure bet. Except maybe now, the musical biopic has become the go-to genre. It just shows how tastes can change.”
Sony’s Spider-Man spinoffs have been principally hit or miss. Its two “Venom” movies have collectively surpassed $1.3 billion worldwide. However 2022’s poorly acquired “Morbius” collected simply $167.4 million globally. “Madame Web” nonetheless couldn’t come near the $39 million home opening weekend for “Morbius.” In 61 abroad markets, “Madame Web” added $25.7 million.
The higher information for Sony’s Spider-verse got here Saturday evening at the 51st Annie Awards, the place “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” received greatest characteristic and picked up seven prizes in whole. “Across the Spider-Verse” is nominated for greatest animated characteristic on the Academy Awards — and the Annie Awards can usually be a very good predictor of winner.
The 2024 field workplace has gotten off to a sobering begin for Hollywood, and the disappointing outcome for “Madame Web” received’t assist. Moviegoing has slowed to a crawl in current weeks, whereas 2023’s strikes have impacted this 12 months’s launch schedules. Even with the sturdy “One Love” opening, ticket gross sales had been down 15% on the weekend in comparison with 2023, based on ComScore.
Expectations are excessive for “Dune: Part Two,” opening March 1. Till then, “Bob Marley: One Love” can be jammin’.
Estimated ticket gross sales for Friday by way of Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, based on Comscore. Remaining home figures can be launched Monday.
1. “Bob Marley: One Love,” $27.7 million.
2. “Madame Web,” $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. “Anyone But You,” $2.4 million.
9. “Lisa Frankenstein,” $2 million.
10. “Land of Bad,” $1.8 million.
