‘Bob Marley: One Love’ stirs up $27.7M weekend, ‘Madame Web’ flops
NEW YORK (AP) — Paramount Pictures’ 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.
Both movies launched in theaters on Tuesday to rope in Valentine’s Day moviegoers. But 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.
Instead, “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.” But 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 Green, 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 film’s producers are Marley’s youngsters, 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.”
Though critics dinged the movie (43% “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes) for counting on biopic conventions, audiences gave it a a lot greater grade, with an “A” CinemaScore. That sort of viewers response plus the robust opening ought to bode effectively for the movie’s run.
“Madame Web,” nevertheless, 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 have been as soon as unfathomable for stand-alone superhero movies. But the movie, an extension of Sony’s universe of Spider-Man movies, struggled to shed the unhealthy buzz surrounding the $80 million venture. 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 largely hit or miss. Its two “Venom” movies have collectively surpassed $1.3 billion worldwide. But 2022’s poorly obtained “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 news for Sony’s Spider-verse got here Saturday night time at the 51st Annie Awards, the place “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” received finest function and picked up seven prizes in complete. “Across the Spider-Verse” is nominated for finest animated function on the Academy Awards — and the Annie Awards can usually be a great predictor of winner.
The 2024 field workplace has gotten off to a sobering begin for Hollywood, and the disappointing end result 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 robust “One Love” opening, ticket gross sales have been down 15% on the weekend in comparison with 2023, in accordance with ComScore.
Expectations are excessive for “Dune: Part Two,” opening March 1. Until then, “Bob Marley: One Love” will likely be jammin’.
Estimated ticket gross sales for Friday by way of Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, in accordance with Comscore. Final home figures will likely 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.
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Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP
Jake Coyle, The Associated Press
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