As we delve into the box office numbers for Challengers, it becomes evident that the film starring Zendaya and directed by Luca Guadagnino managed to gross $1.9 million in previews on Thursday. This figure, while impressive, falls slightly short of Universal’s Cocaine Bear’s earnings. The romantic comedy is aiming for an opening weekend box office of $15 million, with critics giving it a solid approval rating of 91% certified fresh. However, the audience response on opening night was rather lukewarm, with the film receiving three stars on Screen Engine/Comscore’s PostTrak, along with a 75% positive rating and a 56% definite recommendation.
Demographics and Audience Engagement
Looking at the demographics, women over 25 and women under 25 made up a significant portion of the audience at 35% and 25% respectively. Surprisingly, men over 25, who accounted for 25% of the audience, gave the movie the highest ratings. In fact, 80% of men over 25 seemed to be the most impressed by Challengers. The 25-34 age group and 45-54 age group also showed strong support for the film, with grades of 80% and 82% respectively. Despite the SAG-AFTRA strike causing a delay in the film’s release, the global popularity of Zendaya with her massive Instagram following of 184 million has undoubtedly helped in promoting the movie.
In contrast, Lionsgate and Kingdom Story’s Unsung Hero earned $1.67 million in previews, with a significant portion of its earnings coming from advance screenings. The faith-based film, directed by Joel Smallbone & Richard L. Ramsey, follows the story of David Smallbone and his journey from Australia to becoming a five-time Grammy-winning artist. With early reviews and audience feedback being overwhelmingly positive, Unsung Hero seems to have struck a chord with its target audience. Despite garnering lesser attention than Challengers, the film’s heartfelt storytelling and strong performances seem to be resonating well with viewers.
On the flip side, Roadside Attractions’ Boy Kills World is facing a tougher battle at the box office, with early estimates pegging its previews at around $500,000. The uber-action film, acquired out of the TIFF Midnight, is poised for a single-digit opening weekend. While critical reviews and audience reception have been mixed, with ratings of 63% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is struggling to capture the attention of moviegoers. Despite a valiant effort, Boy Kills World seems to be missing the mark in terms of audience engagement and overall box office performance.
The box office landscape is a complex and unpredictable environment where films must navigate the ever-changing tastes of audiences to find success. While Challengers and Unsung Hero have managed to attract viewers with their unique storytelling and strong performances, Boy Kills World is facing an uphill battle in capturing audience interest. As the box office numbers continue to evolve, it will be interesting to see how these films fare in the weeks to come.