Moviegoers sent Will Smith a clear message over the weekend: We forgive you.
“Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” the fourth installment in the Sony Pictures franchise, marked Will Smith’s return to the big screen after the infamous incident at the 2022 Academy Awards where he slapped Chris Rock. Despite the controversy, the movie opened to an impressive $56 million in ticket sales in the United States and Canada, making it a career milestone for Smith with 15 first-place debuts as a leading man.
The R-rated film, which cost an estimated $100 million to make, received positive reviews and was praised for its comedic moments, including a scene where Smith’s character is slapped by his co-star Martin Lawrence and called a “bad boy.” Audiences gave the film an A-minus grade in CinemaScore exit polls and the Rotten Tomatoes audience score stood at 97 percent positive.
Prerelease surveys had predicted a lower opening for “Ride or Die,” but the strong performance at the box office exceeded expectations. Sony’s promotional campaign, which heavily featured Smith, played a significant role in driving audience interest. The studio’s decision to showcase Smith in various marketing stunts and public appearances helped generate buzz for the film.
Despite doubts about Smith’s popularity following the Oscars incident, “Ride or Die” proved that audiences were willing to give the actor another chance. Smith’s previous film, “Emancipation,” had received little attention upon its release, but “Ride or Die” demonstrated that the actor still has drawing power at the box office.
In addition to the success of “Ride or Die,” Sony also had the No. 2 film of the weekend with “The Garfield Movie,” further solidifying the studio’s position in the box office. “The Watchers,” a horror film from New Line, rounded out the top three but fell short of expectations in terms of ticket sales.
Overall, Will Smith’s triumphant return to the big screen with “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” signals a promising comeback for the actor and a strong start for the summer box office season.
