### Evaluating the 2024 Box Office Winners and Losers from ‘Inside Out 2’ to ‘Madame Web’
The 2024 box office landscape has been a mixed bag, with ticket sales struggling and a noticeable lack of blockbusters due to the lingering effects of COVID-19 and industry strikes. Despite these challenges, a few films have managed to shine, while others have faltered. Here’s a mid-year evaluation of the box office winners and losers, focusing on notable releases like “Inside Out 2” and “Madame Web.”
#### Winners
**Inside Out 2**
– **Global Box Office:** $800 million
– **Production Budget:** $200 million
Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” has been a beacon of success in an otherwise dim year for the box office. The film, which delves into the emotion of anxiety, has resonated deeply with audiences, thanks to the goodwill from its 2015 predecessor, stellar word-of-mouth, and broad appeal. It’s on track to be the first movie of 2024 to join the $1 billion club, providing a much-needed boost for struggling theaters and evoking a sense of joy for Pixar.
**Dune: Part Two**
– **Global Box Office:** $711 million
– **Production Budget:** $190 million
Denis Villeneuve’s return to Arrakis with “Dune: Part Two” has been both a critical and commercial triumph, outpacing the first film by over $300 million. The franchise continues to build its audience, and with more novels in the series, it’s likely that Villeneuve will have more sandworms in his future.
**Bob Marley: One Love**
– **Global Box Office:** $179 million
– **Production Budget:** $70 million
Despite mixed reviews, “Bob Marley: One Love” struck a chord with audiences, particularly due to its mid-February release when competition was sparse. The film’s success underscores that musical biopics can thrive at the box office if they feature beloved songs, even if the critical reception is lukewarm.
**Late Night With the Devil**
– **Global Box Office:** $12.3 million
– **Production Budget:** N/A
This low-budget Australian horror film about a late-night show gone wrong became an arthouse hit. With no stars and a modest budget, its $12.3 million gross is impressive. It also became one of the most-watched movies on Shudder, AMC’s horror streaming service, marking a significant win for indie cinema.
**The Garfield Movie**
– **Global Box Office:** $230 million
– **Production Budget:** $60 million
Despite poor reviews, “The Garfield Movie” found favor with younger audiences. The animated film, featuring Chris Pratt as the iconic lasagna-loving cat, capitalized on brand recognition and a lack of family films in theaters, resulting in a tidy profit.
**Bad Boys: Ride or Die**
– **Global Box Office:** $289 million
– **Production Budget:** $100 million
The latest installment in the “Bad Boys” franchise proved that there’s still plenty of gas left in the tank. The film’s strong box office performance suggests that Will Smith’s fans have moved past the Oscars slap incident, ensuring that Smith and Martin Lawrence will likely continue their on-screen partnership.
#### Losers
**Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga**
– **Global Box Office:** $168 million
– **Production Budget:** $168 million
George Miller’s return to the “Mad Max” universe with “Furiosa” barely broke even. The absence of Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy, key players in “Mad Max: Fury Road,” likely contributed to its lackluster performance. Despite the franchise’s critical acclaim, it struggles to achieve blockbuster status.
**IF**
– **Global Box Office:** $181 million
– **Production Budget:** $110 million
John Krasinski’s family-friendly fantasy “IF” rebounded from a weak debut but still fell short of profitability. With a production budget of $110 million, the film needed to gross significantly more to break even, highlighting the challenges of original live-action PG films in today’s market.
**The Fall Guy**
– **Global Box Office:** $171 million
– **Production Budget:** $140 million
Despite star power from Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, “The Fall Guy” failed to attract a wide audience. The film’s niche premise, based on a forgotten 1980s TV series, didn’t resonate with modern viewers, resulting in a box office flop.
**Madame Web**
– **Global Box Office:** $100 million
– **Production Budget:** $80 million
Sony’s attempt to introduce a new Marvel character with “Madame Web” fell flat. The film’s promotional missteps and poor reviews led to a disappointing box office performance. Despite the potential for a sequel, the film’s failure underscores the difficulty of launching new superhero franchises.
**Argylle**
– **Global Box Office:** $96 million
– **Production Budget:** $200 million
Apple’s big-budget spy adventure “Argylle” was a major misfire. Despite a star-studded cast and a renowned director, the film was poorly received and failed to recoup its hefty production costs. The title, referencing a popular knitwear pattern, didn’t help its marketability.
**The Watchers**
– **Global Box Office:** $29 million
– **Production Budget:** $30 million
Ishana Night Shyamalan’s directorial debut “The Watchers” struggled to find an audience. Despite the horror genre’s usual reliability, the film’s poor reception from critics and viewers alike led to dismal ticket sales, marking a rough start for the young director.
### Conclusion
As 2024 progresses, the box office has seen a mix of triumphs and disappointments. While films like “Inside Out 2” and “Dune: Part Two” have provided much-needed successes, others like “Madame Web” and “Argylle” have highlighted the challenges facing the industry. With the year only halfway through, it remains to be seen how the rest of 2024 will unfold for the box office.
Source: Variety, Rotten Tomatoes
