“The Fall Guy,” starring Ryan Gosling in an action-comedy tribute to stunt performers, opened below projections with $28.5 million, marking a lukewarm beginning to Hollywood’s summer movie season. Originally, the weekend typically dominated by Marvel releases, this year saw the absence of “Deadpool & Wolverine,” delayed to July due to last year’s disruptions. Instead, “The Fall Guy” emerged as an alternative, highlighting the often-overlooked sacrifices of stunt performers.
Directed by former stuntman David Leitch, the film entered the weekend with positive reviews and the buzz from a SXSW premiere. Despite a solid opening, achieving its $130 million production budget will require sustained interest. Encouragingly, the film garnered strong audience scores and favorable reviews, setting the stage for potential success in the weeks ahead.
However, the modest debut of “The Fall Guy” reflects broader industry concerns, as superhero films no longer dominate the box office as they once did. Despite its promising elements, including elaborate action sequences and a talented cast, the film’s performance underscores the challenges facing the movie business in recreating the excitement of previous blockbuster summers.
As the summer season unfolds, with fewer major releases due to last year’s disruptions, expectations are tempered, with the total box office projected to fall short of historical benchmarks. Despite the unconventional start, analysts remain cautiously optimistic, acknowledging the unique dynamics shaping this year’s summer movie landscape.
In a surprise twist, the rerelease of “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace” claimed the second spot at the box office, demonstrating the enduring appeal of the franchise. Meanwhile, “Challengers,” last week’s top film, maintained a solid hold in third place, while the supernatural horror film “Tarot” opened with a decent $6.5 million, reflecting a trend of subdued performance in the genre compared to previous years.
Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.
1. “The Fall Guy,” $28.5 million.
2. “Star Wars: The Phantom Menace,” $8.1 million.
3. “Challengers,” $7.6 million.
4. “Tarot,” $6.5 million.
5. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” $4.5 million.
6. “Civil War,” $3.6 million.
7. “Unsung Hero,” $3 million.
8. “Kung Fu Panda 4,” $2.4 million.
9. “Abigail,” $2.3 million.
10. “Ghostbuster: Frozen Empire,” $1.8 million.
