Bad Boys: Ride or Die has burst onto the box office scene with an explosive start, aiming to secure the top spot this weekend. The film is projected to rake in over $40 million, following a strong debut of $5.9 million from Thursday night screenings. This opening figure is just a hair below the $6.36 million that 2020’s Bad Boys for Life managed, which eventually grossed $62.5 million during its opening weekend. However, it’s worth noting that Bad Boys for Life benefited from the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day weekend, which provided an extra boost from the holiday.
This year, the box office has been relatively sluggish, so theater owners are undoubtedly hoping for a strong performance from Bad Boys: Ride or Die. The other major release this weekend, The Watchers, directed by Ishana Shyamalan, daughter of M. Night Shyamalan, has not generated the same level of excitement. Early reviews and audience scores for The Watchers have been disappointing, making it unlikely to challenge Bad Boys: Ride or Die for the top spot.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die has received an overwhelmingly positive response from audiences, boasting a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Additionally, feedback from Comscore’s PostTrak indicates that moviegoers are leaving theaters with high praise for the film. While comparisons to Bad Boys for Life are inevitable, it’s important to remember that the previous film came after a 15-year hiatus, which generated significant pent-up excitement. This time around, the anticipation isn’t as intense, which could impact the urgency for fans to see the movie on opening weekend.
Despite this, the strong word of mouth suggests that Bad Boys: Ride or Die could have staying power, potentially maintaining its box office performance in the coming weeks. The film follows Miami cops Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett as they investigate a conspiracy involving their late captain, who was posthumously framed for working with a drug cartel. Their mission is to clear their captain’s name and uncover the truth behind the setup, all while facing new threats.
The star-studded cast includes returning actors Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, Jacob Scipio, Joe Pantoliano, and DJ Khaled. New additions to the cast include Tasha Smith, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Melanie Liburd, and Tiffany Haddish. Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who helmed Bad Boys for Life, are back to direct this latest installment.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die hit theaters on June 7th, and its explosive start at the box office suggests that fans are eager to see the latest adventures of Mike and Marcus. With its strong opening and positive reception, the film is poised to be a major hit this summer.
