In a dramatic turn of events at the box office, Gran Turismo roared into the lead during its debut weekend. The film, which had its release date shifted from August 11 to August 25 due to the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, managed to secure the coveted top spot. Sony employed a strategic maneuver to navigate the challenges posed by the absence of its star-studded cast, including David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, and Archie Madekwe, who were unable to promote the movie. The studio orchestrated exclusive previews ahead of the revised release date, capitalizing on the buzz generated by favorable initial reactions and word-of-mouth endorsements.
This calculated approach appears to have paid off handsomely, propelling Gran Turismo to a reported triumph at the domestic box office. According to insights from The Hollywood Reporter, the film raked in a substantial $17.3 million in its premiere weekend, narrowly edging past the reigning cinematic titan, Barbie, which secured a commendable $17.1 million during its sixth weekend run. Nevertheless, these box office standings are not devoid of controversy, as the earnings from Gran Turismo‘s early screenings, totaling $3.9 million, are said to be included in its opening weekend earnings.
The Conundrum of Gran Turismo‘s Box Office Triumph
While it’s customary for studios to amalgamate the earnings from initial screenings with the weekend debut totals, the situation with Gran Turismo takes a peculiar twist. Unlike routine practices where Thursday night previews are incorporated into the opening weekend performance metrics, the screenings for Gran Turismo commenced a full two weekends before its official release. This unconventional inclusion has sparked debates about the integrity of the numbers. Notably, it’s apparent that Barbie would have clinched the weekend supremacy had these advanced screenings not been factored in. Furthermore, with Sunday marking National Cinema Day and tempting moviegoers with discounted $4 tickets, Monday’s official tally might very well witness Barbie reclaiming the throne.
However, the veracity of Sony’s box office presentation for Gran Turismo might ultimately be moot. Beneath the surface, the $17.3 million opening haul appears less triumphant when juxtaposed against the film’s estimated budget of approximately $100 million. To attain profitability, Gran Turismo necessitates a substantially higher sum, likely around $200 million. Although the movie enjoyed an earlier international release, amassing $36.5 million in foreign markets, even this global performance falls short of Sony’s ambitions for a summer blockbuster based on a beloved video game franchise.
While the film’s impressive A CinemaScore could translate to sustained success in the ensuing weeks, the reality points to the likelihood that securing the opening weekend crown, irrespective of the methods employed, will stand as Gran Turismo‘s pinnacle box office achievement.