Bad Boys: Ride or Die has made an explosive entry into the box office, reinforcing the enduring appeal of the franchise. Released on June 7, 2024, the film has quickly gathered momentum, with an impressive start that positions it as a significant summer blockbuster.
Box Office Performance
The movie opened with $5.9 million from Thursday night previews, setting a strong pace for its debut weekend. Early estimates projected a domestic opening of over $40 million, aiming to match or exceed the performance of its predecessor, “Bad Boys for Life,” which opened to $62.5 million during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend in 2020​ (ComicBook)​​ (Yahoo)​. The global box office projections are even more optimistic, with expectations of a $75 million-plus opening weekend​ (Yahoo)​. By the end of its opening weekend, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” had grossed approximately $56 million domestically and $48.6 million internationally, totaling $104.6 million worldwide​ (Box Office Mojo)​.
Plot and Cast
In “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” Miami detectives Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) return to unravel a conspiracy that posthumously frames their former captain for working with a drug cartel. The film blends the series’ signature action and humor as the duo races against time to clear their late captain’s name and protect themselves from new threats​ (ComicBook)​.
The cast sees the return of familiar faces, including Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Paola Núñez, and Joe Pantoliano. New additions such as Tasha Smith, Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Melanie Liburd, and Tiffany Haddish add fresh dynamics to the storyline. The film also brings back directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who helmed the previous installment​ (ComicBook)​.
Audience Reception and Reviews
Audience reception has been overwhelmingly positive, with “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” achieving a 97% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Early reactions from screenings have praised the film’s blend of action, humor, and nostalgia, noting that it captures the essence of the original films while introducing new elements to keep the franchise fresh​ (ComicBook)​​ (Yahoo)​.
Comparisons and Market Context
“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” faces comparisons with “Bad Boys for Life,” particularly in terms of box office performance. The 2020 film benefitted from a significant gap since the previous installment, which created pent-up demand among fans. This latest release, however, comes amid a relatively slow box office year, which could work in its favor by drawing more viewers looking for high-energy entertainment​ (ComicBook)​.
“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” is poised to be a major hit, combining strong box office performance with positive audience feedback. Its success underscores the lasting appeal of the franchise and the star power of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. As the film continues to draw audiences, it will likely maintain strong legs in the coming weeks, further solidifying its status as a summer blockbuster​ (Box Office Mojo)​​ (Yahoo)​.
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