Universal Pictures began the summer season with the release of the Ryan Gosling-Emily Blunt action comedy, The Fall Guy. The film brought in $3.15M from showtimes on Thursday night, including Wednesday advance screenings. Despite high expectations, The Fall Guy is projected to make around $35M to $40M for the opening weekend, which is not the typical start for a summer blockbuster.
This slow start can be attributed to the delays in the release of feature films due to ongoing strikes in the industry. The movie was previously scheduled for a release on March 1 but was pushed back to this weekend by Universal. The company believed in the potential of The Fall Guy and showcased it at various events, including a world premiere at SXSW and a Hollywood premiere filled with stunts.
Despite its delayed start, The Fall Guy has managed to create anticipation among audiences. The movie brings back a sense of nostalgia with its ’70s and ’80s action film vibes, which used to be popular in the middle of the country. The presence of Ryan Gosling in the lead role is expected to attract female viewers to theaters. Additionally, the film has garnered positive reviews with an 85% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Alongside The Fall Guy, other films are also making their mark at the box office. Sony/Screen Gems’ Tarot, a young-female-skewing film, is expected to do around $5M-$6M. Re-releases like Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace from Disney are also hitting theaters to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the prequel. The competition at the box office is tough, with films like Challengers, Unsung Hero, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, and Civil War vying for audience attention.
As the weekend progresses, the box office numbers are expected to fluctuate. The success of The Fall Guy and other films will depend on audience reception and word of mouth. With a mix of new releases and re-releases, the box office landscape is diverse, offering something for every type of moviegoer. It remains to be seen how each film performs over the weekend and beyond.
The summer box office season is off to a slow but promising start with Universal’s The Fall Guy leading the way. Despite challenges and delays in the industry, the film has managed to generate anticipation and positive reviews. As audiences flock to theaters, the competition among both new releases and re-releases will heat up, shaping the landscape of the box office in the weeks to come.