Universal Pictures kickstarted the summer season with the release of The Fall Guy, starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt. Despite the star power, the movie only managed to rake in $3.15M from its Thursday night showtimes that started at 5 p.m., along with the Wednesday advance screenings. Industry experts are predicting a disappointing opening weekend of around $35M, maybe $40M. This lackluster performance has been attributed to the delays caused by strikes in the film industry.
The Fall Guy, initially slated for a March 1 release, was rescheduled by Universal to this weekend following Disney and Marvel Studios’ decision to move Deadpool & Wolverine to the end of July. Some now consider this shift as the true beginning of the summer blockbuster season. Despite the setbacks, Universal had high hopes for The Fall Guy, even showcasing it at SXSW in Austin for a world premiere that received positive feedback from audiences.
The movie, which carries a production budget of $130M before prints and advertising costs, is targeted at a wide audience. With a nostalgic ’70s/’80s action vibe and a PG-13 rating, The Fall Guy is expected to appeal to both men and women. Additionally, the film has garnered favorable reviews, boasting an 85% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Universal has rolled out the movie in 4,002 theaters nationwide, including Premium Large Format screens and Imax.
In contrast to The Fall Guy, Sony/Screen Gems’ Tarot, a young-female-skewing horror film, had a modest start at the box office. Made on a smaller budget of $8M, the movie is projected to bring in $5M-$6M over the weekend. On Thursday, Tarot earned $715K from showtimes that began at 4 p.m. in 2,744 locations. Unfortunately, the movie received dismal reviews, with critics on Rotten Tomatoes giving it a low 9% Rotten rating.
The storyline of Tarot revolves around a group of friends who unknowingly unleash an evil force by breaking a sacred Tarot reading rule. As they face the consequences of their actions, a race against death ensues. Despite its low budget and mixed reception, Tarot aims to attract a specific audience with its supernatural themes and suspenseful narrative.
Disney is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace by re-releasing the film in 2,600 domestic theaters. This special screening, timed to coincide with Star Wars Day on May the Fourth, includes showings in Premium Large Format screens and specialty motion D-Box/4D auditoriums. Since advance sales opened on March 22, interest in the re-release has been solid, reaching its peak over the weekend.
To enhance the moviegoing experience, audiences watching The Phantom Menace will also get an exclusive sneak peek of the upcoming Star Wars series, The Acolyte, set to premiere on Disney+ on June 4. This nostalgic re-release strategy aims to engage both longtime fans of the franchise and new audiences, highlighting the enduring appeal of the Star Wars saga.
While The Fall Guy and Tarot are capturing attention at the box office, other films are also making their mark. Amazon MGM Studios’ Challenger, directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring Zendaya, closed its first week with $21.8M, maintaining a steady performance. Lionsgate’s Unsung Hero followed closely with $10.1M, signaling a consistent run at the box office.
Legendary/Warner Bros’ Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire continues to draw audiences in its fifth week, reaching a cumulative total of $183.5M. A24’s Civil War, directed by Alex Garland, also performed well in its third week, grossing $9M across 3,518 venues. Despite the competition, these films are holding their own in the diverse landscape of summer releases.