This weekend at the box office promises to be a special one, with a surprising contender entering the race. Colleen Hoover’s novel adaptation, “It Ends With Us,” is gearing up to challenge the dominance of Disney/Marvel Studios’ “Deadpool” and “Wolverine” in its third weekend. The industry is abuzz with the unexpected success of this femme-driven film, starring Blake Lively and directed by Justin Baldoni.
In a shocking turn of events, “It Ends With Us” has already made a mark in previews, raking in an impressive $7 million on its opening day. This figure is not far from the pre-COVID previews record set by films like “Fifty Shades of Grey” and “Twilight.” The buzz around the film has been steadily growing, with industry projections soaring from an initial tracking of $15 million to expectations of $40 million or even higher.
The success of “It Ends With Us” is a testament to the power of femme-driven storytelling in Hollywood. The film has tapped into a demographic that is often overlooked in the industry – female book readers. The surge in presales and positive audience reception (at 94% approval) indicate a strong opening weekend for the film.
As Hollywood grapples with the unexpected success of “It Ends With Us,” there is a valuable lesson to be learned. The film’s potential to outperform expectations highlights the importance of catering to diverse audiences and genres. The industry must reconsider its approach to streaming and theatrical releases, as there is still great potential for success in the cinema landscape.
This weekend also marks a unique moment in Hollywood history, with husband and wife superstars Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively both starring in theatrical releases that are bolstering each other’s success. The last time such a phenomenon occurred was in 1990 with Bruce Willis and Demi Moore. The synergy between the couple’s films underscores the power of star power and strategic marketing in driving box office success.
As “It Ends With Us” prepares to make its mark at the box office, Hollywood is faced with a pivotal moment of reflection. The unexpected success of the film serves as a reminder that there is still a place for diverse storytelling and genres in theaters. As the industry navigates the changing landscape of entertainment consumption, one thing is clear – there is still gold to be found in the traditional cinema experience.