Bob Marley: One Love Opens with $80M Global Bow, Sets Records in International Box Office
Paramount’s highly anticipated biopic, Bob Marley: One Love, has made a resounding impact in its opening weekend, bringing people together around the world and raking in an impressive estimated $80 million globally. Despite initial skepticism from critics, audiences flocked to theaters, resulting in a remarkable international box office portion of $29 million, surpassing expectations.
Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, Bob Marley: One Love has been released in 47 overseas markets. In terms of like-for-like comparisons, including previews, the film has outperformed other music biopics such as Elvis and Rocketman, surpassing them by 14% and 12%, respectively. This remarkable achievement makes it the second biggest music biopic opening of all time, trailing only behind the iconic Bohemian Rhapsody.
The film, starring Kingsley Ben-Adir, has captivated audiences worldwide, opening at number one in 13 markets and setting new records for opening-day performances of a music biopic in countries like the UK and France. Notably, in Jamaica, Bob Marley: One Love has achieved the incredible feat of becoming the highest-grossing film opening ever.
The top five markets for the film so far are the UK, with an impressive $9.3 million (the second biggest music biopic opening), followed by France ($5.5 million), Australia ($2 million), Germany ($1.8 million), and Brazil ($1.8 million). The film’s success is set to continue as it prepares to release in major markets such as Italy, Korea, and Japan throughout March.
In other box office news, Sony/Marvel’s Madame Web also made its overseas debut this weekend, generating $25.7 million from 61 markets. The film secured the number one spot in 29 of those markets, contributing to a global launch estimated at $51.5 million. Despite potential losses, Sony remains optimistic due to its lucrative international TV output deals and its partnership with Netflix.
The United Kingdom and Mexico emerged as the leading markets for Madame Web, each earning $2.9 million. France followed closely behind with a debut of $1.6 million. Australia and Germany rounded out the top five starts, both bringing in $1.5 million. The film is yet to release in Japan, China, and Korea, with anticipation building for its upcoming premieres.
Additionally, Warner Bros/Village Roadshow/Heyday Films’ Wonka has crossed the impressive milestone of $600 million worldwide. The film earned $7.8 million in 74 overseas markets, bringing its international cumulative total to $395.1 million and its global earnings to $605 million.
Wonka has particularly resonated with audiences in Korea, where it has maintained the number one position for three consecutive weeks, accumulating an impressive $16.3 million thus far. The film has already surpassed the lifetime earnings of other popular movies like The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Minions: The Rise of Gru, and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald in the Korean market.
The top-performing markets for Wonka to date are the UK ($78.7 million), France ($30.6 million), Mexico ($27.3 million), Australia ($25.8 million), and Germany ($24.7 million). The film’s success continues to grow as it captivates audiences worldwide.
Sony’s Anyone But You also had a successful weekend, adding another $7.8 million in 50 markets. Impressively, the film only experienced a 21% drop in ticket sales, benefiting from a Valentine’s Day boost. The offshore cumulative total now stands at $104.2 million, with global earnings reaching $189 million.
The top-performing markets for Anyone But You include Australia ($14.4 million), the UK ($13.8 million), Germany ($12.5 million), Mexico ($7.5 million), and Italy ($6.6 million). The film’s steady performance and positive reception indicate its enduring popularity among international audiences.
Overall, the global box office has seen a surge in success with the release of Bob Marley: One Love, Madame Web, Wonka, and Anyone But You. These films have captivated audiences worldwide, breaking records and surpassing expectations. As the industry continues to recover from the impact of the pandemic, these box office successes serve as a testament to the enduring power of cinema and the universal appeal of compelling storytelling.
