The Rise and Stall of “Gran Turismo”: A Box Office Analysis

Box Office: ‘Gran Turismo’ Narrowly Outraces ‘Barbie’ With Middling $17.3 Million

In a nail-biting race at the box office, Sony’s “Gran Turismo” is projected to narrowly outpace “Barbie” with a weekend box office haul of $17.3 million. However, Warner Bros.’ “Barbie” is a close second with $17.1 million, leaving the final order uncertain. The final tallies will be released on Monday, and only a mere $200,000 separates the two films. Paul Dergarabedian, a senior Comscore analyst, remarks on the unpredictable nature of these estimates, emphasizing the need to wait until the final numbers are available.

Unconventional Accounting Practices

The opening figure for “Gran Turismo” includes a significant $5.3 million from preview screenings and fan events held by the studio over the past few weeks. This unconventional accounting approach stems from Sony’s decision to push back the film’s release by two weeks from its original date of August 11. To generate excitement and raise the film’s profile, Sony organized special screenings during this period. While most studios include Thursday preview grosses in their opening numbers, folding in several weeks of grosses is taking the definition of a “weekend” in creative directions. Paramount’s “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” has also taken a similar approach, including results from multiple preview screenings in its opening weekend figures.

Warner Bros., the studio backing “Barbie,” is not a fan of this practice, as it may prevent them from securing the top spot at the box office. Box office analyst Jeff Bock acknowledges that other studios have been expanding the concept of an opening by including more previews and sneak screenings, but he deems the inclusion of multiple weeks of grosses as more egregious, suggesting that they simply want the headline of being number one in the box office rankings.

The Significance of National Cinema Day

This particular weekend in the midst of summer is receiving close scrutiny not only due to the fierce box office competition but also because Sunday marks the second National Cinema Day. More than 3,000 theaters across North America will reduce ticket prices to just $4 in hopes of attracting bargain hunters and boosting attendance. While exhibitors anticipate increased popcorn and beverage sales, studios may not be as enthusiastic about the discounted tickets and its potential impact on grosses.

“Gran Turismo” and Profitability

The $17.3 million opening for “Gran Turismo” isn’t a substantial victory for the film, considering its $60 million production budget. To turn a profit, it will need to generate positive word-of-mouth and sustained interest. Directed by Neill Blomkamp of “District 9” fame, the film follows Jann Mardenborough, a young man who finds success in the world of auto racing due to his love for the PlayStation video game, “Gran Turismo.” Starring Archie Madekwe, David Harbour, and Orlando Bloom, the film received mixed reviews but received an A CinemaScore from audiences.

The Success of “Barbie”

In contrast, “Barbie” continues to perform exceptionally at the box office, with a projected gross of $600 million domestically and a current total of $594.8 million. This makes it the highest-grossing domestic release of 2023, surpassing “The Super Mario Bros. Movie.” “Blue Beetle,” released by Warner Bros. and DC Films, earned $12.8 million in its second weekend and has grossed $46.3 million domestically. Universal’s “Oppenheimer,” a film exploring the life of physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, earned $9 million, bringing its North American total to an impressive $300.1 million. Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer” now ranks as his third highest-grossing domestic release, with only “The Dark Knight” and “The Dark Knight Rises” earning more.

Other Releases

In limited release, “Bottoms,” a high school comedy from “Shiva Baby” director Emma Seligman, performed well, earning $516,254 from just ten locations—a per-screen average of $51,625. The film, produced by MGM, will expand to 700 additional screens across North America in the upcoming weekend. Liam Neeson’s latest action hero film, “Retribution,” released by Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions, earned a modest $3.3 million from 1,750 theaters. Typically, this type of film performs better through on-demand platforms. Additionally, Bleecker Street’s “Golda,” a biopic about former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir, opened to $1.7 million from over 800 screens. Briarcliff Entertainment‘s faith-based story, “The Hill,” earned $2.5 million from 1,570 locations.

The Future of the Box Office

Next weekend, Denzel Washington will return in “Equalizer 3,” concluding the summer of 2023. As it stands, the box office has earned approximately $3.9 billion in ticket sales and is expected to cross the $4 billion mark for the first time since the pandemic. Dergarabedian highlights the significance of this milestone, emphasizing that many doubted the box office’s ability to reach such levels once again.

Overall, the box office’s recovery and the ongoing battle for the number one spot demonstrate the resilience and adaptability of the film industry. The use of unconventional accounting practices and the impact of National Cinema Day highlight the industry’s willingness to explore new strategies to drive attendance and revenue. While profitability remains a challenge for some films, there is still room for success and audience engagement.

Keywords: Video Games, Gran Turismo, Barbie, Box Office, Gaming Industry, Entertainment, Analysis