News Mania Desk/Agnibeena Ghosh/22nd July 2024
In an era when the box office has been grappling with fluctuating performance, two notable films have managed to sustain audience interest prior to the release of “Inside Out 2,” which has recently rejuvenated the market with its record-setting success. Among these films, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” and “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” have emerged as key players, both achieving commendable numbers during their theatrical runs.
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” the latest chapter in the beloved franchise, has concluded its global journey with earnings approaching $400 million. In parallel, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” the fourth installment in the popular “Bad Boys” series, has also seen significant success. After nearly two months in theaters, the film has amassed nearly $190 million domestically and approximately $198 million internationally, bringing its total global gross to an impressive $388 million.
Despite the strong performance, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” is likely to fall short of surpassing the lifetime domestic and global earnings of its predecessor, “Bad Boys for Life,” which grossed over $200 million domestically and about $425 million worldwide. Nevertheless, the fourth film’s results are noteworthy, particularly for an R-rated action-comedy, and it is expected to wrap up its theater run next week as “Deadpool & Wolverine” takes center stage.
Directed by the Belgian filmmaking duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who also helmed “Bad Boys for Life,” this latest installment is now the second-highest-grossing film in the “Bad Boys” franchise. Since its debut in 1995, the series has accumulated over $1.2 billion globally. Produced with a reported budget of $100 million, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” has performed well both critically and with audiences. It currently holds a “fresh” 65% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, slightly below “Bad Boys for Life’s” 75% score, but boasts an impressive 97% audience approval rating, compared to 96% for its predecessor.
The film’s performance highlights Will Smith’s enduring star power despite the controversy surrounding him following the Oscars incident in which he slapped comedian Chris Rock. This film marks Smith’s first theatrical release since that event and his first exclusively theatrical film since “Bad Boys for Life” four years ago. Although Smith also appeared in the Oscar-winning “King Richard” and the period drama “Emancipation,” “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” represents a return to the big screen in a major franchise role.
As “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” continues its run in theaters, it awaits its digital release later this week. With its impressive box office numbers and strong audience response, the film stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of the “Bad Boys” series and the star power of Will Smith.
