The Bad Boys franchise rides high once again as the fourth installment, “Ride or Die,” storms into theaters, hauling an impressive $56 million domestically from 3,885 venues. Not stopping there, the film’s international debut adds a hefty $48.6 million to the pot, culminating in a robust worldwide total of $104.6 million.
Marking Will Smith’s return to the big screen following the infamous Oscars incident, Bad Boys 4 proves that audiences still have an appetite for the dynamic duo of Smith and Martin Lawrence. While it falls short of usurping the franchise’s opening weekend record set by its predecessor, “Bad Boys for Life” with $62 million, the latest installment injects a much-needed boost of enthusiasm into theaters.
According to Variety, the year-to-date box office deficit, however, remains a cause for concern, with ticket sales trailing 26% behind 2023. Hollywood and theater owners are banking on the momentum generated by Bad Boys 4 to reignite interest in moviegoing. With highly anticipated releases like Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” and “A Quiet Place: Day One” on the horizon, the industry anticipates a turnaround in the months ahead.
Critically, Bad Boys: Ride or Die received mixed reviews, earning an “A-” CinemaScore from audiences but garnering a modest 64% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film’s action-packed narrative, helmed by directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, follows detectives Mike and Marcus as they navigate corruption within the Miami Police Department, culminating in a high-octane chase to solve a case.
Despite the challenges posed by the current box office landscape, Bad Boys 4 is well-positioned to capitalize on its $100 million budget. However, whether it can surpass the success of its predecessor, “Bad Boys for Life,” which raked in $206 million domestically and $426 million globally, remains to be seen.
Sony Pictures, buoyed by the success of Bad Boys 4, celebrates a triumphant weekend, clinching the top two spots at the box office with “The Garfield Movie” securing second place with $10 million. Meanwhile, other newcomers like “The Watchers” failed to make a significant impact, underscoring the enduring appeal of established franchises like Bad Boys.
