Why is it we hardly see movies with non-white leads? Why is it we hardly see movies with strong female characters? Why is it we hardly see R-rated comic book movies?
Conventional wisdom suggests that these movies would most likely turn out to be box office bombs. Well, over the past couple of years, we’ve gotten three comic book movies that are giant middle fingers to conventional wisdom, first with “Deadpool”, then with “Wonder Woman” and now with “Black Panther”.
“Black Panther”, the 18th movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has earned an incredible US$ 192 million in a three-day, Fri-Sun weekend and is likely to gross around US$ 218 million in the four-day, Fri-Mon weekend… in the US alone! That’s the biggest February opening weekend of all time.
Other records shattered by “Black Panther”, in the US:
- Biggest solo superhero launch (previously held by “Deadpool” – US$ 132 million)
- Biggest Fri-Mon launch (previously held by “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” – US$ 153 million).
“Black Panther is also the fifth highest Fri-Sun opening weekend ever, behind the likes of “The Avengers” (US$207 million), “Jurassic World” (US$ 208 million), “The Last Jedi” (US$ 220 million) and “The Force Awakens” (US$ 248 million).
If we factor in the global market, “Black Panther” has already grossed more than US$ 361 million and the film isn’t even released in China and Russia yet!
“Black Panther” is not just a great film, it is an important one. It is a film that has a black lead, mostly black supporting cast and strong female characters. It is a film that is helmed by a black man with a largely black crew. And it is a film that discusses important political themes. If you haven’t seen it yet, what is wrong with you? Go and catch it NOW!
Source: Forbes
