Box Office Update: "Bad Guys 2," "Naked Gun" Perform Well as "Fantastic Four" Dominates

Box Office Update: "Bad Guys 2," "Naked Gun" Perform Well as "Fantastic Four" Dominates

This weekend, the box office is buzzing with competition as multiple new films launch alongside the ongoing success of Fantastic Four: First Steps. Among the new releases, The Naked Gun revival and The Bad Guys 2 are turning heads with strong openings. Additionally, the indie horror-comedy Together is also vying for attention.

The Naked Gun Revival: A Comedic Hit

Paramount's revival of the classic Naked Gun franchise opened this weekend with an impressive $6.3 million on Friday, setting it up for a projected total of around $16.5 million by the end of the weekend. This marks a solid return for the comedy series, which has been dormant since the release of Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult in 1994.

The new film stars Liam Neeson in his first leading comedic role as Lt. Frank Drebin Jr. He’s attempting to follow in the footsteps of his famous father, Frank Drebin, originally played by Leslie Nielsen. Alongside Neeson, Pamela Anderson joins the cast, and the film includes a diverse group of supporting actors like Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, and Kevin Durand.

This new installment, produced by Seth MacFarlane and directed by Akiva Schaffer, seems to be hitting the right notes with audiences. The film received an A-grade on CinemaScore, and early reviews indicate positive reactions, particularly from fans of the original series. The Naked Gun franchise is known for its absurd slapstick humor, and this film continues that tradition, with plenty of references to the original while introducing a new generation to the quirky "Police Squad" team.

"Fantastic Four" Holds the Top Spot

In its second weekend, Fantastic Four: First Steps is continuing to dominate the box office, holding the top spot with an estimated $40 million for the weekend. This follows a massive opening of $117 million in its first week, breaking the trend of lower-than-expected Marvel films. Despite the strong opening, Fantastic Four is expected to see a 65% drop in box office numbers from its debut, which is typical for superhero films, though the drop may shift depending on the weekend's traffic.

Though the film is holding strong, it faces some competition from DC's Superman, which is also performing well in its second week. Superman saw a smaller drop in its second weekend (less than 54%), a performance that's especially noteworthy given the ongoing competition. Experts predict that Fantastic Four will eventually catch up to Superman’s domestic earnings, but the race is far from over.

The Bad Guys 2: A Strong Animated Sequel

The sequel to the animated hit The Bad Guys is also making waves at the box office, with Bad Guys 2 grossing around $9.2 million on Friday and a projected $22.8 million for the weekend. This is an excellent result, as it places the film as the second-best animated opening of the year.

The sequel picks up where the original film left off, with the "Bad Guys" gang of animal outlaws trying to go straight. However, when they’re forced back into action to stop a new group of criminals called "The Bad Girls," things quickly go awry. The cast includes returning voice talents like Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, and Awkwafina, along with new additions such as Zazie Beetz, Richard Ayoade, and Lilly Singh.

Directed by Pierre Perifel, Bad Guys 2 maintains the same mix of humor and heart that made the original film so successful. Though some critics felt the film leaned a bit too hard into over-the-top action sequences, it still delivers a fun, engaging experience for both kids and adults. The film is expected to become another big hit for Universal/DreamWorks Animation.

Pamela Anderson: A Busy Weekend

Pamela Anderson, who is known for her iconic roles in both television and film, is having quite the weekend at the box office. She appears in both Bad Guys 2 and The Naked Gun revival, showcasing her versatility as an actress. In Bad Guys 2, she lends her voice to one of the new characters, while in The Naked Gun, she takes on a more traditional live-action role.

Indie Horror-Comedy: Together

Meanwhile, the indie horror-comedy Together from Neon is attracting some attention as it opens in theaters this weekend. Starring Alison Brie and Dave Franco, Together is expected to earn around $7 million, which will likely place it in sixth place for the weekend. The film combines dark humor and body horror in a way that’s sure to appeal to fans of quirky, offbeat cinema.

Directed by Michael Shanks, Together explores bizarre mutations and bodily transformations in a way that’s both unsettling and funny. The film’s unique tone and intriguing premise have made it a standout in the crowded weekend lineup, and it’s expected to be a hit with viewers looking for something outside of the mainstream.

Looking Ahead

As Fantastic Four continues to lead the box office and The Naked Gun and Bad Guys 2 enjoy successful openings, this weekend is shaping up to be a competitive one for the box office. With DC’s Superman also holding strong and Together bringing in niche audiences, it’s clear that a variety of genres are vying for attention.

In the coming weeks, we’ll see if Fantastic Four can continue its strong performance and if The Naked Gun and Bad Guys 2 can hold their own against the summer movie competition. For now, it looks like a solid weekend for both the big studios and smaller indie releases.

ref :https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/naked-gun-box-office-bad-guy-sequel-open-1236335634/