The Fall Guy has taken the top spot at the box office this weekend, debuting at No. 1 with a projected opening weekend of $28 million. Despite initial tracking suggesting a higher range of $30-$35 million, the film earned $10.4 million on Friday. The movie, which received an A- CinemaScore from audiences, may benefit from positive word of mouth in the weeks ahead.
With a net budget of $130 million, including incentives for shooting in Australia, The Fall Guy is directed by David Leitch and stars Ryan Gosling as a stuntman on a mission to find a missing movie star, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Emily Blunt and a talented supporting cast add depth to the action-heavy film, which also features elements of romance.
Receiving an 83 percent critics score on Rotten Tomatoes, The Fall Guy has been marketed by Universal as a tribute to Hollywood and the stunt community. The film's premiere, TV appearances, and theme park show have highlighted its adrenaline-pumping stunts and heartfelt storytelling.
In its second weekend, Challengers from Amazon MGM Studios is holding strong with a projected second-place finish of $8.7 million, bringing its total earnings to $30.5 million. Starring Zendaya, Josh O'Connor, and Mike Faist, the sexy tennis drama continues to draw audiences.
Another new release, Tarot, a horror feature from Sony's Screen Gems, is expected to come in fourth with $6.3 million. Directed by Spenser Cohen and Anna Halberg, the film follows a group of friends who unleash an evil entity from cursed Tarot cards. Despite a low C- CinemaScore from viewers and a meager 8 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, Tarot has embarked on an all-digital marketing campaign.
Additionally, the re-release of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, celebrating its 25th anniversary, is expected to bring in $7.5 million, coinciding with the Star Wars-centric May the Fourth holiday.
