Paramount’s latest music biopic, “Bob Marley: One Love,” continues to resonate with audiences worldwide, defying expectations and amassing a commendable U$160 million at the global box office. Despite facing stiff competition from other cinematic offerings, including the highly anticipated “Dune: Part Two” and the family-friendly “Kung Fu Panda 4,” the film has maintained a steady presence in theatres, particularly in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Since its release nearly a month ago, “One Love” has proven to be a formidable force, raking in almost U$90 million in the U.S. and U$71 million collectively in other international markets. This showcases the enduring appeal of the legendary reggae icon Bob Marley. With a captivating performance by Kingsley Ben-Adir in the titular role, the biopic has garnered both critical acclaim and audience praise despite receiving mixed reviews from critics.
Produced on a reported budget of $70 million, One Love focuses on a pivotal period in Marley’s life and proves that the music biopic genre remains as popular as ever. Outside of the U.S., One Love’s biggest international markets are the U.K. ($17.4 million), France ($12.7 million), Germany ($4.2 million), Australia ($4 million) and Brazil (also $4 million) — a reminder of Marley’s sustained global appeal.
While some critics have been less enthusiastic about the film’s overall execution, citing its flat and uninspired narrative, audiences have embraced “One Love,” awarding it a commendable 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an ‘A’ CinemaScore from opening day crowds. This disparity between critical reception and audience satisfaction underscores the film’s ability to resonate with viewers on a deeper level, transcending mere cinematic critique.
As “One Love” inches closer to the U$200 million milestone, it joins recent music biopics like “Rocketman” and “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which have enjoyed similar global success.
