Afrigather New York —
Paramount Footage’ 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 Net” 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 Net,” “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 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 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 throughout all generations. It wasn’t only a film for an older viewers that grew up with Bob Marley’s music,” mentioned 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 throughout 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 a press release Sunday, mentioned: “We thank the individuals 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 larger grade, with an “A” CinemaScore. That sort of viewers response plus the robust opening ought to bode nicely for the movie’s run.
“Madame Net,” 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% “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 unhealthy buzz surrounding the $80 million challenge. 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,” mentioned Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for knowledge agency Comscore. “Sure issues are now not a positive wager. Besides possibly now, the musical biopic has grow to be 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 acquired “Morbius” collected simply $167.4 million globally. “Madame Net” nonetheless could not come near the $39 million home opening weekend for “Morbius.” In 61 abroad markets, “Madame Net” added $25.7 million.
The higher information for Sony’s Spider-verse got here Saturday night time on the 51st Annie Awards, the place “Spider-Man: Throughout the Spider-Verse” received finest characteristic and picked up seven prizes in whole. “Throughout the Spider-Verse” is nominated for finest animated characteristic on the Academy Awards — and the Annie Awards can typically be predictor of winner.
The 2024 field workplace has gotten off to a sobering begin for Hollywood, and the disappointing outcome for “Madame Net” will not 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, in keeping with ComScore.
Expectations are excessive for “Dune: Half Two,” opening March 1. Till then, “Bob Marley: One Love” can be jammin’.
Estimated ticket gross sales for Friday by Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, in keeping with Comscore. Remaining home figures can be launched Monday.
1. “Bob Marley: One Love,” $27.7 million.
2. “Madame Net,” $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 Unhealthy,” $1.8 million.
