Sony’s latest action-comedy Bad Boys: Ride or Die is making waves at the summer box office, projected to debut with a robust $53 million domestically. This success marks a promising comeback for Will Smith, nearly two years after the widely-publicized Oscars incident involving Chris Rock.
The film, which reunites Smith and Martin Lawrence for their fourth adventure as Miami detectives, has been well-received by audiences and critics alike, earning an A- CinemaScore. Notably, Black moviegoers comprised 44 percent of the audience.
Friday’s earnings reached $21.6 million, including $5.9 million from Thursday night previews, surpassing early predictions of a $48 million to $50 million opening. This makes Ride or Die the second-highest opener of the summer, trailing only Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
Ride or Die follows Smith and Lawrence’s characters, Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, as they navigate a perilous situation involving their deceased captain’s ties to drug cartels. Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (known as Adil & Bilall) and written by Chris Bremner and Will Beall, the movie subtly addresses the infamous Oscars incident.
Inside sources reveal that Smith’s representatives at CAA have been in talks with studios, exploring new project opportunities in anticipation of Ride or Die’s success. This could pave the way for Smith’s next major film announcement.
In addition to Ride or Die, Sony celebrates another success with The Garfield Movie, holding the No. 2 spot with an estimated $10.3 million. Paramount’s action comedy IF is also performing well, projected to earn $8.5 million, securing third place.
Newcomer Ishana Night Shyamalan’s The Watchers is expected to open in fourth place with about $7 million. The film is produced by her father, M. Night Shyamalan. Completing the top five is Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, estimated to earn $5.5 million.