Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the upcoming movie from Columbia Pictures, has been given the green light for a theatrical release in China. Scheduled to hit cinemas on June 22, this film marks the return of the popular Bad Boys franchise to mainland China. Directed by Adil and Bilall, who also helmed the successful threequel, Bad Boys for Life, this fourth installment is highly anticipated.
While Bad Boys for Life faced a lukewarm reception in China amid the Covid-19 pandemic, earning only $3.2M, other Will Smith movies have performed exceptionally well in the region. Films like Men in Black 3 and Aladdin raked in impressive box office numbers prior to the pandemic. Bad Boys for Life, on the other hand, achieved a solid opening weekend in the US, grossing $62.5M ($73M over a 4-day holiday weekend) before the pandemic brought the industry to a standstill.
Optimism for Ride or Die
Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic and strikes in the industry, Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Tony Vinciquerra remains optimistic about the box office prospects for Bad Boys: Ride or Die. With a predicted domestic opening of $50M, the film is set to be one of the biggest releases of the summer. Vinciquerra believes that as the market recovers and more big films hit theaters, audiences will return to the big screen experience.
Vinciquerra acknowledges the current downturn in theatrical attendance but sees a bright future ahead. He anticipates a resurgence in the industry in the second half of the year, with a lineup of exciting releases that will draw audiences back to cinemas. The CEO is confident that once the film production pipeline returns to normal, the industry will see a strong comeback, although it may take some time to fully recover to pre-pandemic levels.
By exploring new territories like China and leveraging the success of previous films, Bad Boys: Ride or Die has the potential to be a blockbuster hit. With a promising outlook and a dedicated fan base, the film is poised to make a significant impact at the box office and continue the legacy of the Bad Boys franchise.