Paramount Pictures’ Bob Marley biopic “Bob Marley: One Love” outperformed expectancies to debut at No. 1 on the field workplace with a $27.7 million opening weekend, whilst Sony’s “Madame Web” flopped with probably the most lowest debuts for a film focused on a Marvel persona.
Both motion pictures introduced in theaters on Tuesday to rope in Valentine’s Day moviegoers. But on a weekend that was once as soon as anticipated to visit “Madame Web,” “One Love” emerged because the much-preferred possibility in theaters, regardless of in large part deficient critiques.
Instead, “One Love,” starring Kingsley Ben-Adir and produced with the involvement of the Marley estate, carried out more or less 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 world territories.
Chris Aronson, distribution leader for Paramount, famous that pre-release projections forecast a six-day overall nearer to $30 million for “One Love.” But moviegoers from a variety became 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,” mentioned Aronson. “Our highest quadrant was (age) 18 to 24. A third of the audience was under 25. That, to me, speaks volumes.”
Produced for approximately $70 million, “One Love,” directed by way of Reinaldo Marcus Green, chronicles Marley right through the making of the 1977 album “Exodus” whilst main up to a pivotal live performance for his local Jamaica. Among the film’s manufacturers are Marley’s youngsters, Ziggy and Cedella, and his spouse, Rita.
Ziggy Marley, in a remark Sunday, mentioned: “We thank the people for embracing this film and in so doing helping to highlight the message of one love.”
Though critics dinged the film (43% “fresh” on Rotten Tomatoes) for depending on biopic conventions, audiences gave it a miles upper grade, with an “A” CinemaScore. That more or less target market reaction plus the sturdy opening will have to bode neatly for the movie’s run.
“Madame Web,” alternatively, was once 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 motion pictures. But the movie, an extension of Sony’s universe of Spider-Man motion pictures, struggled to shed the dangerous buzz surrounding the $80 million mission. 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,” mentioned Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst for information company 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 had been most commonly hit or miss. Its two “Venom” motion pictures have in combination surpassed $1.3 billion international. But 2022’s poorly won “Morbius” gathered simply $167.4 million globally. “Madame Web” nonetheless couldn’t come with regards to the $39 million home opening weekend for “Morbius.” In 61 in another country markets, “Madame Web” added $25.7 million.
The higher news for Sony’s Spider-verse got here Saturday evening at the 51st Annie Awards, the place “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” received highest function and picked up seven prizes in overall. “Across the Spider-Verse” is nominated for highest animated function on the Academy Awards — and the Annie Awards can steadily be a excellent predictor of winner.
The 2024 field workplace has gotten off to a sobering get started for Hollywood, and the disappointing consequence for “Madame Web” received’t assist. Moviegoing has slowed to a move slowly in fresh weeks, whilst 2023’s moves have impacted this yr’s launch schedules. Even with the sturdy “One Love” opening, price tag gross sales had been down 15% at the weekend in comparison to 2023, in keeping with ComScore.
Expectations are top for “Dune: Part Two,” opening March 1. Until then, “Bob Marley: One Love” shall be jammin’.
Estimated price tag gross sales for Friday via Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, in keeping with Comscore. Final home figures shall 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