Actors Martin Lawrence, left, and Will Smith, strike a pose during a photo shoot to promote their latest film, "Bad Boys: Ride or Die", in Mexico City, Friday, May 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
The fourth installment of the Will Smith-Martin Lawrence action comedy series, "Bad Boys: Ride or Die," opened with a strong $56 million at the box office, marking Smith's biggest success since his Oscars controversy.
Despite industry concerns, the film met or exceeded expectations, offering Hollywood a much-needed summer hit. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the movie faced challenges due to the current moviegoing climate and uncertainties surrounding Smith's box-office appeal.
Smith, who was banned from the Oscars for ten years following an incident with Chris Rock, returned to the spotlight with this release, supported by a whirlwind publicity tour. The film's success is significant amid disappointing performances from earlier summer releases.
While it fell short of the previous installment's opening, "Bad Boys for Life," it still delivered promising numbers domestically and internationally. Despite mixed reviews, audiences gave the film a high grade, particularly black moviegoers, who accounted for a significant portion of ticket buyers. The movie's plot follows Miami detectives investigating a scheme involving their late police captain. However, the industry still faces challenges, with overall ticket sales down significantly from pre-pandemic levels.
"Bad Boys: Ride or Die" may provide a boost, but theaters will need more hits to recover fully. Meanwhile, other releases like "The Garfield Movie" and "The Watchers" had varied performances, while "If" and "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" maintained their positions in the top five.
