Sony’s Bad Boys: Ride or Die has reinvigorated the summer box office with a robust domestic opening of $56 million and a global total of $104.6 million. This unexpected success marks a triumphant return for Will Smith, two years after the Oscars incident.
Reuniting Smith with Martin Lawrence, this fourth installment of the Bad Boys franchise received an A- CinemaScore in North America and generally positive reviews. Notably, 44% of the audience was aged between 18 and 34, proving Smith’s continued appeal among younger viewers. Black moviegoers represented the largest segment of the audience at 44%.
Ride or Die is the first film of the summer to significantly exceed expectations, with projections initially placing its opening between $48 million and $50 million. It stands as the second-largest domestic debut of the season, only trailing Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, which opened to $58 million.
Internationally, the film grossed $48.6 million across 60 markets. It performed particularly well in Europe with $19.3 million and set new franchise records in Latin America and the Middle East.
Produced on a $100 million budget, Ride or Die follows Bad Boys for Life, which opened to $62 million domestically in January 2022 and eventually grossed $426 million globally. The series, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, continues to attract a strong following.
In the film, Smith and Lawrence reprise their roles as Miami cops Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett. Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah from a script by Chris Bremner and Will Beall, the story follows the duo as they go on the run to clear their late police captain’s name from drug cartel accusations.
This release marks Smith’s first major theatrical push since his infamous altercation with Chris Rock at the 2022 Oscars, which is subtly addressed in the film. Reports indicate that Smith’s agents at CAA have been reaching out to studios for potential projects, hoping to capitalize on the film’s success.
Sony Pictures Motion Group CEO Tom Rothman had another reason to celebrate with The Garfield Movie securing the second box office spot. The film, which had a modest budget, earned $10 million domestically and $15.3 million overseas, bringing its global total to nearly $200 million against a net budget of $60 million.
John Krasinski and Paramount’s IF, starring Ryan Reynolds, displayed strong staying power, earning $8 million domestically and $6.2 million overseas for a global total of $160.7 million. The fantasy comedy opened modestly a month ago but continues to draw audiences.
Ishana Night Shyamalan’s The Watchers opened in fourth place with $7 million. The supernatural thriller, produced by her father M. Night Shyamalan, added a touch of horror to the box office.
Rounding out the top five was Disney and 20th Century’s Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, which earned $5.4 million domestically, bringing its global total to $359.8 million, the highest of the summer so far.
Wrapping Up
The success of Bad Boys: Ride or Die has provided a much-needed boost to the summer box office and marks a significant moment in Will Smith’s career comeback. With promising international numbers and a strong domestic performance, this film sets a hopeful tone for the summer movie season. For more updates on the latest in movies, check out Hitplay.
