Will Smith’s Latest Film Revives Summer Box Office

In a much-needed boost for the summer box office, Sony’s latest installment in the “Bad Boys” franchise, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” is projected to open with a domestic box office haul of $53 million. The film, starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, has garnered positive reviews and an A- CinemaScore, with black moviegoers making up a significant portion of the audience at 44 percent.

The Friday opening of $21.6 million, including $5.9 million from Thursday night previews, exceeded initial tracking estimates of $48 million to $50 million. This success positions “Ride or Die” as one of the top-performing films of the summer, second only to “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.”

Following the success of “Bad Boys for Life,” which earned $426 million globally before the pandemic shutdown, “Ride or Die” continues the story of Miami cops Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett as they navigate a new case involving drug cartels and a personal vendetta.

For Will Smith, “Ride or Die” marks a significant return to the big screen following the infamous Oscars slap incident. Industry insiders report that Smith’s agents are already in talks with studios for his next projects, banking on the success of “Ride or Die” to propel his career forward.

As audiences flock to theaters for the action-packed buddy comedy, the film’s success is a promising sign for the industry’s recovery post-pandemic. With more films like Ishana Night Shyamalan’s “The Watchers” also hitting theaters, the box office landscape is set for an exciting resurgence. Stay tuned for more updates on the latest box office hits and industry news.