Hollywood received a much-needed summer hit with the release of “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” the fourth installment in the action comedy series starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.
The film opened with an estimated $56 million in theaters over the weekend, proving to be Smith’s biggest success since his infamous incident at the Academy Awards.
Despite the uncertain box-office market this summer, “Ride or Die” exceeded expectations and performed close to its tracking forecast.
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the film served as Smith’s first theatrical test since his ban from the Oscars following the slap heard around the world.
Smith, who recently starred in the Apple release “Emancipation,” embarked on a global publicity tour for the film, making appearances on popular shows like “The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon” and attending international premieres.
The 55-year-old actor’s efforts paid off, with “Ride or Die” receiving a positive audience response and an “A-” CinemaScore.
In the movie, Smith and Lawrence reprise their roles as Miami detectives investigating a plot to frame their late police captain. The film also features a memorable scene in which Lawrence slaps Smith and calls him a “bad boy.”
While “Ride or Die” didn’t surpass the opening of its predecessor, “Bad Boys for Life,” it still managed to earn $48.6 million internationally. With ticket sales down overall in the movie industry, the success of “Ride or Die” is seen as a critical win for Hollywood.
Looking ahead, theaters are hopeful for a turnaround with upcoming releases like Pixar’s “Inside Out 2.” The industry will need more hits like “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” to boost ticket sales and recover from the pandemic-related setbacks.
Other films in the weekend box office lineup included “The Garfield Movie,” which slid to second place, and the new release “The Watchers,” which failed to resonate with audiences.
Despite the challenges facing the movie business, successful releases like “Ride or Die” offer hope for a brighter future in theaters.
