There’s plenty of summer left on the calendar, but Hollywood’s blockbuster season is all but over.
Yes, “Alien: Romulus” could spark a box office run come Aug. 16, but it’s the last major film to debut this season. “Borderlands” (Aug. 9) boasts a starry cast (Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jack Black) but has bad buzz and is being held back from some critics.
That’s never a good sign.
A final Borderlands movie trailer is giving fans one last opportunity to dunk on it before it comes out: “The first movie in 20 years to go straight to VHS”. https://t.co/uPj0aRylnX
— PC Gamer (@pcgamer) July 26, 2024
Which means it’s time to hand out a scorecard for the season’s biggest hits and shocking flops. The summer of 2024 delivered in more ways than one.
U.S. box office numbers courtesy of BoxOfficeMojo.com
THE HITS
“Inside Out 2” ($626 million+)
Disney ditched the lectures and stuck to the basics. Story. Character. Heart.
The results? The biggest animated smash of all time. Not too shabby. Yes, the film’s forced diversity jumped out at us like a 3-D effect, but everything else about this charmer connected with audiences.
Let’s hope CEO Bob Iger was taking notes.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” ($395 million+)
The summer’s no-brainer is out-performing even the best expectations. Ryan Reynolds’ signature character, plus Hugh Jackman’s crusty anti-hero, gave us the summer’s best buddy pairing.
Fun cameos. Easter eggs aplenty. Mad respect for Comic-Con Nation. “Deadpool & Wolverine” had it all, except a logical plot. Oh, well. No film is perfect.
“Despicable Me 4” (#313 million+)
We’re living in the Minions’ world. Still. This critic-proof franchise is catnip to families eager for summertime air conditioning and yuks.
“Kung Fu Panda 4” ($193 million+)
It’s another animated franchise that shows little sign of aging. No wonder the powers that be just greenlit a new “Shrek” feature.
“Longlegs” ($66 million+)
The Cageisannce continues. Nicolas Cage’s creepy turn as a bewigged serial killer is the heart and soul of this tight, but overrated shocker. Horror can be a mixed bag at the box office, but with its generally low budgets and tremendous upside it’s not surprising to see a sleeper sensation like this take off.
“A Quiet Place: Day One” ($137 million+)
Franchise creator John Krasinski took a step back (he’s a producer with a story credit, too), but the brand is secure enough to draw a crowd. The plot proved unexpectedly intimate, and Lupita Nyong’o’s complicated heroine proved catnip to genre fans.
“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” ($192 million+)
You’re forgiven, Will Smith.
This venerable franchise is in mid-“Fast and Furious” form. The formula is set. The stars appeal to a wide demographic. The story delivers the expected blend of comedy and action. Barring any future meltdowns expect a fifth and sixth installment before they call it a day.
THE MISSES
“Horizon: An American Saga – Part 1” ($28 million)
Hollywood legend Kevin Costner rolled the dice and lost. His passion for an old-school western proved a terrible fit for summer audiences. Critics seemed particularly angry about a film that defied modern mores. The result? “Part 2” won’t be seen this summer as planned, and the final two installments appear in limbo.
“The Fall Guy” ($92 million)
How did this miss? Ryan Gosling’s first post-“Barbie” role proved sweet and comic. The film banked on a classic TV IP. Fans adored its frothy blend of laughs and romance.
And it stalled at $92 million, an impressive sum for most movies but not a big, noisy blockbuster.
“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” ($67 million)
No Max. Big problem.
“Sound of Hope: The Story of Possum Trot” ($11 million)
Angel Studios tried to capture lightning in a bottle. Again. We all know the odds against that strategy. “Possum Trot” proved as dramatically strong as “Sound of Freedom,” but audiences mostly ignored its heartfelt narrative.
“Back to Black” ($8 million)
Amy Winehouse left us far too soon. The biopic recalling her tumultuous life proved a colossal dud. Either her legacy isn’t as robust as many assumed or her 2011 death proved too recent to relive.
“The Fabulous Four” ($2 million+)
Two superstars hell bent on alienating audiences didn’t draw a crowd? Inconceivable!
“Harold and the Purple Crayon” ($6 million+)
A child-friendly film, based on a classic book series, bombed during the sweltering summer months. Screenwriter William Goldman’s show business saw (“nobody knows anything”) has never been more accurate.
“Fly Me to the Moon” ($20 million)
Two beautiful stars. An historic moment in U.S. history. A rare rom-com in the middle of the summer. None of that helped lift this sweet, lightweight feature.
THE JURY IS STILL OUT
“Twisters” ($195+ million)
Yes, the film’s box office haul seems like it belongs on the “Hit” list. Look closer. The film’s budget – $155 million – means it must make quite a bit more to break even.
The movie’s weak international receipts aren’t helping. “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” scored a hefty $200 million overseas, for comparison’s sake.
Still, the film smoothly grabbed the baton from the 1996 original despite no direct ties beyond the title.
“IF” ($111 million)
Director John Krasinksi deserves oodles of credit for depositing an original story in the middle of sequel season. And while the film broke the $100 million mark stateside, it too suffered in international waters. That, plus its $100 million-plus price tag means the red ink wave may be formidable.
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