Paramount’s highly anticipated biopic ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ made a remarkable debut at the domestic box office, raking in an impressive $14 million on Wednesday. This phenomenal midweek opening sets a new record for Valentine’s Day releases, capturing the hearts of audiences nationwide. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film managed to stir the emotions of viewers, earning an impressive A CinemaScore.
In a surprising turn of events, ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ surpassed Sony’s superhero film ‘Madame Web’ at the box office. While ‘Madame Web’ garnered a decent $6 million, it received a rather lackluster C+ CinemaScore. However, ‘One Love’ stormed ahead, not only dominating the domestic market but also making waves overseas. The biopic has already accumulated an astounding $5.4 million in international markets, with an impressive $2.3 million debut in the UK. This success shattered previous records for music biopics, solidifying its place in cinematic history.
Both films strategically released on Valentine’s Day, aiming to captivate love-struck audiences during the long Presidents Day weekend. Early projections suggest that ‘One Love’ is projected to earn over $30 million during its six-day opening, firmly establishing its superiority over ‘Madame Web’. The shifting tides in cinematic preferences have become apparent, as the once dominant superhero flicks face challenges from recent setbacks in the DC and Marvel Studios.
Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and starring Kingsley Ben-Adir, ‘One Love’ tells the captivating story of Jamaican music legend Bob Marley. The film delves into Marley’s life and his profound belief in the healing power of music. While critical response has been lukewarm, with a 44% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, Paramount remains confident that the $70 million production will resonate with audiences. They have set their sights on achieving similar success to recent biopics ‘Rocketman’ and ‘Elvis’.
In contrast, ‘Madame Web’ has faced even harsher criticism, earning an abysmal 15% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film, which reportedly cost a staggering $80 million to produce, stars Dakota Johnson and revolves around the adventures of a clairvoyant paramedic. Making matters even more challenging for comparison, ‘Madame Web’ deviates from the usual three-day weekend release schedule, opting for a six-day run.
As the box office charts continue to fluctuate, it remains to be seen which film will ultimately emerge victorious. Will ‘One Love’ continue to dominate, showcasing the growing appetite for diverse storytelling, or will ‘Madame Web’ manage to defy the odds and swing the superhero genre back into prominence? Moviegoers will have their answer soon enough as the fierce battle at the box office unfolds.
