If you saw the Freddie Mercury biopic (or if you plan to), better read (and watch) this.
Although reviews were mixed at best, the Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody won the box office race in its opening weekend with a take of over $51 million US in America. That’s up to $15 million higher than pre-release estimates but wasn’t quite enough to make it highest-opening biopic of all time.
Any guesses what the champion is?
We have to go back a few years for Straight Outta Compton, the story of NWA, which grossed $60.2 million when it opened in the US on August 14, 2015.
And what of the highest-grossing music biopic of all time? That would be Oliver Stone’s The Doors from 1991. Its gross is listed as about $34 million, but if you adjust for inflation, the number is $63 million.
Looking ahead, though, the movie should have enough legs (especially when it gets to the on-demand market) to become the highest-earning biopic of all time.
By the way, the movie cost $52 million to make, so it’s on the verge of turning a profit in its second week. (I’ve also heard that Canada out-indexed the US when it came to the box office. There are obviously plenty of Queen fans in this country.)
If you need something to fill in the blanks with the movie or to help you with your critique and review, watch this documentary.