Massive Box Office Success For Bob Marley ‘One Love’, ‘Madame Web’ Sets Record Breaking Low

The Bob Marley biopic, One Love had a massive $51 million domestic opening over the Valentine’s Day-President’s Day corridor. Meanwhile, Madame Web had an opening of $25 million, a record worst for a Sony superhero film. 

Reinaldo Marus Green’s One Love is a box office success, doubling what was expected from the film and opening on par with other musical biopics, like Elvis and Rocketman. In addition to the domestic opening, it earned $29 million in foreign markets for an $80 million global launch for the film with just a $70 million budget. Rival studios say the decision to go out on Valentine’s Day was a smart choice in building momentum. 

The film set new opening day records for a music biopic in the U.K., France and other territories and set the record for the biggest film opening of all time in Jamaica. 

One Love depicts the Jamaican musician Marley during the creation of his 1977 album Exodus and the events of the next several years, including an assassination attempt and his belief that music could heal his nation in its post-colonial era. The movie’s producers include Marley’s children Ziggy and Cedella, and his wife, Rita. Bob Marley is played by Kingsley Ben-Adir. 

Ziggy Marley said in a statement: 

“My family and I are honored with the amazing response to Bob Marley: One Love. Like my father’s music, this movie is meant for the people and his message of peace, love and unity is clearly connecting with audiences around the world. We thank the people for embracing this film and in so doing helping to highlight the message of one love.”

Sony’s Madame Web opened with $25 million domestically and earned another $25 million in foreign markets for a $50 million global launch. Major markets yet to open include Japan, South Korea and China, but it is still a record-breaking low for a Sony superhero film starring Spider-Man-related characters.

Starring Dakota Johnson, the film was received poorly by critics and audiences alike. It has been hovering around a 13% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was given C+ on CinemaScore.