King Richard became the latest box-office disappointment for Warner Bros. Perhaps it is the fact that the film is playing in theaters while simultaneously being streamed on HBO Max. According to Forbes, many films that do great on HBO Max are the ones who do decently at the box-office.
King Richard, the tennis biopic, directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, and starring Will Smith, focuses on the unheard story of the Williams family triumph, from their father’s perspective, the eponymous Richard. The film is less about the sisters’ accomplishments, and more about Richard’s desire to give them a better life through tennis, and how poorly Richard and his family were treated throughout his journey.
Despite its strong reviews, 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, plenty of free (mostly positive) media, King Richard stumbled this weekend with $5.7 million. The film earned an A on CinemaScore. Hopefully, it will continue playing through Thanksgiving and into Christmas, but our beloved Smith can only do so much when you open below $6 million. It may not derail Smith’s Oscar hopes, but a higher box-office would’ve definitely pushed King Richard to the front of the Best Picture race.
The film also stars Demi Singleton and Saniyya Sidney as Serena and Venus Williams, respectively.
King Richard is playing in theaters and available on HBO Max.
Leave a Comment