Amazon MGM Studios’ “Challengers,” featuring Zendaya and directed by Luca Guadagnino, had a decent preview performance, garnering $1.9M at the box office. The film was closely behind Universal’s “Cocaine Bear,” which earned $100K more in previews. As the tennis romantic comedy aims for a $15M opening weekend box office, it faces a mixed reception from audiences. While critics have praised the film, giving it a high 91% certified fresh rating, last night’s audience feedback on Screen Engine/Comscore’s PostTrak was more lukewarm, with a rating of 3.5 stars, 75% positivity, and 56% definite recommendations.
The audience composition for “Challengers” provides interesting insights. Women over 25 comprised 35% of the viewers, followed by women under 25 at 25%. Surprisingly, men over 25, who made up 25% of the audience, rated the movie the highest at 80%. In contrast, men under 25 only accounted for 14% of the audience. The strongest demographic reception for the film came from the 25-34 age group, with an 80% rating, while the 45-54 age group also showed a high approval rating of 82%.
On the other hand, Lionsgate and Kingdom Story’s “Unsung Hero” garnered $1.67M in previews. The faith-based film, directed by Joel Smallbone and Richard L. Ramsey, received positive early reactions, with a gross of $470K on its opening day. Despite facing competition from other releases, “Unsung Hero” managed to secure a solid audience response, obtaining a five-star rating on PostTrak, with 96% positivity and an 86% definite recommend rate.
“Unsung Hero” narrates the inspiring story of David Smallbone, who moved from Australia to the U.S. with his wife and seven children. The film portrays his journey to becoming a five-time Grammy Award-winning artist for KING + COUNTRY alongside Rebecca St. James. The audience demographic for “Unsung Hero” mainly consisted of 66% females, with a significant 48% being over 55 years old. The film’s heartfelt narrative and positive reception indicate a potentially strong performance at the box office.
Both “Challengers” and “Unsung Hero” offer distinct stories and themes that resonate with diverse audience segments. While “Challengers” targets a younger demographic with its romantic comedy elements and star-studded cast, “Unsung Hero” appeals to viewers seeking inspirational and faith-based content. As these films continue their theatrical run, their box office performance will reflect the audience’s reception and engagement with the narratives presented.