Los Angeles, California – The weekend box office saw a blast from the past as “The Fall Guy”, starring Ryan Gosling as Colt Seavers, dominated the charts with $28.5 million. The film, inspired by the 1980s TV show of the same name, kicked off the summer movie season with a strong debut. Surprisingly, Disney’s re-release of “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” also made waves, securing the second spot with $8.1 million.
Despite “The Fall Guy” taking the top spot, its earnings fell short of initial expectations. The overall box office numbers for the weekend were significantly lower compared to previous years. The industry witnessed a 53 percent decrease from the same time last year, and a substantial drop of more than 66 percent from 2022.
“The Fall Guy” comes with a net budget of $130 million after factoring in tax incentives for filming in Australia. Universal is banking on the film’s positive audience reception, highlighted by an A- CinemaScore, to drive up enthusiasm in the following weeks. The movie, directed by stuntman-turned-director David Leitch, has garnered praise for its tribute to the stunt community.
Ryan Gosling’s portrayal as a washed-up stuntman on a mission to save a film and locate a missing superstar has captivated audiences worldwide. The film, with a global earnings of $65.4 million, has solidified Gosling’s star power, particularly after his critically acclaimed performance as Ken in “Barbie”.
The resurgence of “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” at the box office marks a significant turnaround for the film. Once a subject of ridicule, the movie has garnered newfound appreciation over the years, especially with the upcoming Disney+ series featuring Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi. The re-release of the film coinciding with the 25th anniversary and Star Wars Day festivities has reignited interest among fans.
In a tight race for the top spots, “Challengers” from Amazon MGM Studios and “Tarot” from Sony and Screen Gems made notable appearances. “Challengers”, a drama starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist, maintained a strong hold in its second weekend, while “Tarot” debuted with a solid $6.5 million in earnings.
Meanwhile, the international debut of “Garfield” saw promising figures, setting the stage for its U.S. release. The film, featuring Chris Pratt as the voice of the lasagna-loving cat, is expected to draw in audiences with its beloved feline character.