Beyoncé’s concert film, “Renaissance A Film by Beyoncé,” has made a significant impact at the box office, earning $5.1 million in previews on Thursday, surpassing initial projections. The film, entirely written, directed, and produced by the singer, is on track to generate between $17 million to $20 million domestically in its opening weekend, showing in approximately 2,539 locations across the United States.
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Globally, “Renaissance” is not just a domestic phenomenon but an international event, debuting in 94 territories including the U.K., South Africa, and Australia. The global box office revenue is estimated to be between $30 million to $40 million, a testament to the film’s widespread appeal. Although it falls short of the benchmark set by Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour,” which opened to $92 million domestically last October, “Renaissance” demonstrates a solid performance in the concert film genre.
In a departure from traditional methods, both Beyoncé and Taylor Swift chose to bypass major studio partnerships for the theatrical release of their films. Instead, they opted for a collaboration with AMC Theatres, the world’s largest exhibition chain. This decision has proven lucrative for Beyoncé, who reportedly takes half of the box office earnings, a significantly larger share than typically afforded under standard studio distribution deals. AMC Theatres, in turn, gain a distribution fee, but not the standard percentage of revenues typical of studio agreements.
This weekend’s box office sees “Renaissance” competing for the top spot against “Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” illustrating the diversity of offerings that continue to draw audiences to theaters.
Another major debut this weekend is Lionsgate’s “Silent Night,” directed by John Woo and starring Joel Kinnaman. The film, expected to open between $6 million to $8 million, presents an intriguing concept by unfolding its narrative entirely without dialogue, a creative approach that adds a unique element to the cinematic experience.
Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” marks a significant moment in the evolving landscape of film distribution and exhibition, signaling a potential shift towards artists seeking more direct engagement with their audiences and a greater share of box office revenues. As the film industry continues to adapt to changing consumer preferences and technological advancements, such innovative models are poised to redefine the traditional pathways of cinematic content delivery.