In an unexpected box office turn, Chris Pratt’s The Garfield Movie is making significant waves internationally, achieving what Ryan Gosling’s The Fall Guy has struggled to accomplish: substantial earnings before even hitting theaters in the United States. Sony’s latest animated offering, which casts Pratt as the voice of the notoriously lazy yet lovable cat, has already recouped nearly 80% of its production budget, a stark contrast to Gosling’s latest flick.
The Global Reach of “The Garfield Movie”
Currently showing in 27 markets, The Garfield Movie has grossed a whopping $49 million worldwide, according to Deadline. This impressive figure is particularly notable as the film has not yet debuted in several key international markets, including Saudi Arabia, the UK, Indonesia, Australia, Poland, France, and Japan. The fact that it has amassed $10.3 million this past weekend alone speaks volumes about its global appeal and sets a robust stage for its upcoming domestic release.
The film features an all-star voice cast alongside Pratt, including Samuel L. Jackson as Garfield’s long-lost father Vic, and Harvey Guillén as Odie. With additional voices provided by Hannah Waddingham, Nicholas Hoult, Brett Goldstein, and Bowen Yang, the film promises a high-stakes adventure that has clearly resonated with audiences worldwide.
“The Fall Guy” Stumbles at the Box Office
On the other side of Hollywood, Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt’s The Fall Guy is facing tougher times. Despite the star power of Gosling, who last year featured in the global phenomenon Barbie, and Blunt, fresh from her role in Oppenheimer, their latest project has not performed as expected. With a reported production budget of $130 million, the film has only managed to scrape together a global total of $127 million so far, according to Collider. It debuted with just over $27 million in its opening weekend and has continued to underperform, particularly in the US where it was expected to shine.
The action-comedy, loosely based on the 1980s TV series of the same name, sees Gosling as an ex-stuntman who is pulled into a convoluted conspiracy on his ex-girlfriend’s film set. Despite its intriguing premise and comedic potential, the movie’s earnings suggest it might end its theatrical run well under the $200 million mark globally, far from the $260 million needed to be deemed a financial success.
What Lies Ahead for Both Films?
As The Garfield Movie gears up for its US premiere next weekend, expectations are high that domestic audiences will respond just as enthusiastically as those internationally. Meanwhile, The Fall Guy is set to pivot to digital release, hoping to recoup some of its losses through home viewership.
The contrasting fortunes of these two films highlight not only the unpredictable nature of movie-going audiences but also the increasing importance of international markets in the film industry’s revenue streams. As The Garfield Movie prepares to complete its impressive global run, all eyes will be on whether it can maintain its momentum in the US, potentially setting a new precedent for animated films this year.
