‘Bob Marley: One Love’ to Stay High Above ‘Drive-Away Dolls’: Box Office

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There will be more wide releases at the box office this weekend –three, in fact– but they’re not expected to make a dent before Legendary/Warner Bros.’ Dune: Part Two brings everybody back on March 1 with a hopeful $80M start.

Focus Features’ Ethan Coen-directed femme comedy caper Drive-Away Dolls, Sony/Crunchyroll’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba -To The Hashira Training and Lionsgate/Kingdom Story’s Ordinary Angels hit marquees on Friday but Paramount’s Bob Marley: One Love will smoke them all with a second weekend of $15M, about -45% down from the biopic’s 3-day of $28.6M.

The second weekend of Sony/Marvel’s Madame Web could possibly ease -55% for around $6.8M. How the heck is that? The Dakota Johnson-Sydney Sweeney thriller pic posted a Tuesday of $1.75M that was -30% off of Monday’s $2.5M. Bob Marley: One Love saw $2.9M yesterday, -41% from Monday’s $4.97M. There’s a school of thought that the Spider-Man sister IP won’t tumble 60%, however, that won’t be shocking given the pic’s C+ CinemaScore.

Through yesterday, One Love is at $54.4M running cume while Madame Web counts $27.8M.

Even though Madame Web is in the bottom of the barrel for Marvel IP, sources have noted that the pic’s ability to stay afloat throughout the six-day Presidents Day holiday with $26M stems from its ability to pull in Hispanic and Latino audiences (34% more than any other demo on the title). However, Bob Marley: One Love also appealed to Hispanic and Latino moviegoers, and the notion is that those who went to Madame Web last weekend will find their way to the reggae legend this weekend.

As far as the others, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba -To The Hashira Training, boosted by PLF and Imax screens is expected to do the best of the three newcomers with $7M-$8M. The fact that it’s not a movie, and rather a TV episode is what’s keeping grosses down from previous Demon Slayers (2021’s Mugen Train holds the domestic record for the franchise with a $21.2M start). This installment is the last episode (episode 11) of the Swordsmith Village Arc and the first episode of the Hashira Training Arc in the Demon Slayer canon. It’s the first time episode 11 has ever been seen on the big screen and the first time the episode 1 of the new arc has been seen at all. Episode 11 has been available to stream on Crunchyroll. The Swordsmith Village Arc premiered in April 2023 (with the finale/Episode 11 airing last June). Pic is booked at 1,940 locations. Previews start Thursday at 4PM at 1,820 sites.

Ordinary Angels starring 2x Oscar winner Hilary Swank was previously scheduled to open on Oct. 13, but moved due to Taylor Swift: Eras Tour landing on that date, plus the actors’ strike was still ongoing. It’s expected to do $5M-$7M at 2,800 locations. Previews start 6PM on Thursday. Older women faith-based are the key target. Movie follows Swank as Sharon, a fierce but struggling hairdresser in small-town Kentucky who discovers a renewed sense of purpose when she meets Ed (Alan Ritchson), a widower working hard to make ends meet for his two daughters. With his youngest daughter waiting for a liver transplant, Sharon sets her mind to helping the family and will move mountains to do it. What unfolds is the inspiring tale of faith, everyday miracles, and ordinary angels. Jon Gunn directed off a screenplay by Meg Tilly and Kelly Fremon Craig. The movie is currently 82% fresh with Rotten Tomatoes critics from 28 reviews.

Focus Features sought to keep Drive-Away Dolls safe on the schedule, away from the actors strike which prevented the pic from opening on Sept. 22. Despite the release date change for the Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan movie, it’s going to struggle to get to $4M at 2,261 theaters. Rotten Tomatoes reviews are coming in at 71% fresh at the time of this post from 55 reviews. Drive-Away Dolls was a negative pick-up for Focus. Written by Coen and Tricia Cooke, the movie follows Jamie (Qualley), an uninhibited free spirit bemoaning yet another breakup with a girlfriend, and her demure friend Marian (Viswanathan) who desperately needs to loosen up. In search of a fresh start, the two embark on an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee, but things quickly go awry when they cross paths with a group of inept criminals along the way.