Will Smith’s return to the big screen has proven successful, with Bad Boys: Ride or Die leading the box office in its opening weekend. This fourth installment in the popular buddy cop franchise raked in $56 million domestically and a total of $104.6 million worldwide.
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A Time-Tested Franchise Revives Moviegoing
While not breaking any franchise records, “Ride or Die” signifies a positive trend for the movie theater industry. The film’s performance comes amidst a sluggish box office year, with ticket sales lagging behind 2023. Hollywood is hoping this momentum will continue with upcoming releases like Pixar’s “Inside Out 2“ and “A Quiet Place: Day One“.
Will Smith’s Return: Forgiveness or Franchise Power?
The success of “Ride or Die” raises questions about audiences’ reception of Will Smith following the 2022 Oscars incident. While the film itself received mixed reviews from critics, it achieved a solid audience score, suggesting moviegoers were happy to see Smith back in action. This return within a familiar and beloved franchise likely played a role in its positive reception.
Looking Ahead: Can Bad Boys Stay on Top?
With a production budget of $100 million, “Ride or Die” is well on its way to profitability. However, surpassing the franchise’s highest-grossing film, Bad Boys for Life ($426 million globally), may be a challenge.
Industry experts remain optimistic about the future of the Bad Boys franchise. The enduring popularity of action comedies and the strong fanbase suggest there’s “room to run” for this series.
Beyond Bad Boys: A Look at the Rest of the Box Office
Sony celebrated a dominant weekend with both the top two spots at the box office. The Garfield Movie claimed second place with a solid $10 million, bringing its total gross to $192 million worldwide.
Newcomer The Watchers, starring Dakota Fanning, unfortunately underperformed, landing in fourth place with a disappointing $7 million opening.
Meanwhile, Paramount’s “IF“ continued its slow but steady climb, reaching the No. 3 spot with $8 million in its fourth week. Disney’s Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes rounded out the top five, holding strong in its fifth weekend on the big screen.