This week, Jason Statham‘s latest action flick, A Working Man, seized the top spot at the domestic box office. The movie’s remarkable debut comes in the wake of Snow White’s underwhelming performance, allowing A Working Man to dominate the charts effortlessly. Directed by David Ayer, this film nearly matched the success of their previous collaboration, The Beekeeper. Audiences have expressed enthusiasm, yet critical reception remains mixed. Nonetheless, Statham continues to solidify his status as a bankable action star, as the cumulative earnings of his films exceed the $8.5 billion mark globally.
A Working Man earned an estimated $15.2 million in its first weekend at the domestic box office, narrowly missing The Beekeeper’s debut figure by around $1 million. Despite a moderate $40 million production budget, the movie garnered a 52% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with audiences rating it in the 90% range. CinemaScore reflected a B grade from opening day viewers. Nate Richard of Collider appreciated it for its classic action movie vibe, reminiscent of the late-80s and early-90s, fostering a nostalgic film-going experience.
In contrast, Snow White, now in its second week, slipped to second place by grossing just under $14 million, bringing its cumulative earnings to over $65 million. The film experienced a significant 66% drop, echoing the downturn of Disney’s Dumbo remake. With a $250 million budget, Snow White grapples with offscreen controversies involving stars Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot, casting uncertainty over its continued success.
The third spot was secured by The Chosen: Last Supper – Part 1, a theatrical release of the show’s fifth season episodes by Fathom Events. Garnering over $11 million in its opening weekend, it enjoys a near-perfect 99% approval on Rotten Tomatoes, building on the show’s proven track record of strong box office performance.
In fourth place, The Woman in the Yard, a horror offering from Universal, debuted with earnings exceeding $9 million despite minimal pre-release buzz. Meanwhile, A24’s horror comedy Death of a Unicorn managed around $6 million, unable to capitalize on stars Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd‘s popularity adequately.
Elsewhere, the IMAX re-release of Hayao Miyazaki’s classic Princess Mononoke grossed about $4 million, surpassing its original theatrical run, highlighting its enduring appeal among audiences eager for Miyazaki’s visionary storytelling on the big screen.
Analyzing these box office dynamics, Statham’s role in elevating A Working Man above the highly anticipated Snow White underscores his enduring appeal as an action icon. As Snow White struggles to meet expectations, its hefty budget and accompanying controversies loom large. Meanwhile, industry eyes watch to see how subsequent releases stack up against these trends.
