Paramount Pictures’ musical biopic “Bob Marley: One Love” made a resounding entrance at the box office, exceeding forecasts by raking in $27.7 million over the traditional weekend and soaring to $51 million over the six-day holiday period.
Initial projections anticipated a modest $30 million to $35 million haul from Valentine’s Day through Presidents’ Day, but the film garnered increased interest as audiences resonated with its portrayal of Marley’s life and music, resulting in an impressive “A” CinemaScore. However, critical reception was more mixed, evidenced by a 43% rotten rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green (“King Richard”), the PG-13-rated “Bob Marley: One Love” features Kingsley Ben-Adir as the legendary reggae artist and Lashana Lynch as his wife Rita.
Ziggy Marley, son of the renowned songwriter, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming response to the film, emphasizing its alignment with his father’s message of peace, love, and unity.
Internationally, “One Love” amassed an additional $29 million from 47 territories, propelling its global earnings to a commendable $80 million. With production costs totaling $70 million, the biopic faces the task of sustaining its momentum to justify its budgetary investment.
Chris Aronson, Paramount’s president of domestic distribution, expressed optimism regarding the film’s continued success, underscoring the universal appeal of Marley’s story and music.
Meanwhile, “Madame Web,” Sony’s superhero thriller featuring Dakota Johnson, failed to captivate audiences, debuting in second place with a disappointing $17.6 million over the traditional weekend and $25.8 million during the extended holiday period. The film’s lackluster performance comes despite an $80 million production budget and extensive marketing efforts. With a tepid “C+” CinemaScore and a dismal 13% Rotten Tomatoes rating, prospects for a box office resurgence appear bleak.
David A. Gross, of Franchise Entertainment Research, noted the challenging landscape for superhero adaptations, pointing out recent disappointments in the genre. However, anticipation remains high for upcoming releases such as “Deadpool & Wolverine” and “Joker: Folie á Deux.”
Despite the debut of these two films, the Presidents’ Day weekend saw lackluster box office returns, marking one of the weakest showings in modern history, excluding the pandemic-impacted year of 2021. Total domestic revenues amounted to approximately $75 million over three days and $89 million over four days, representing a significant decline compared to previous years.
Paul Dergarabedian, senior analyst at Comscore, acknowledged the importance of successful releases like “Bob Marley: One Love” amidst the industry’s challenges, eagerly anticipating the arrival of upcoming blockbusters.
In other box office news, Matthew Vaughn’s “Argylle” secured third place with $4.72 million over the weekend and an estimated $5.55 million through Monday, while Universal and Illumination’s animated comedy “Migration” claimed fourth place with $3.75 million over the weekend and an estimated $5 million through Monday. Warner Bros.’ “Wonka,” starring Timothee Chalamet, continued its strong showing in fifth place, maintaining its position for the 10th consecutive weekend.
Additionally, the faith-based TV series “The Chosen” generated $3.5 million over the traditional weekend and $4.1 million through Monday, as it continues its exclusive theatrical run of Season 4 episodes.
While challenges persist within the industry, successful releases like “Bob Marley: One Love” underscore the enduring power of captivating storytelling and resonant themes at the box office.
