Gran Turismo Shocks Box Office with Spectacular Milestone, Defying Underwhelming Start

Summary

Gran Turismo crosses the $100 million milestone at the box office, despite a slow start and mixed reviews from critics.

Sony's decision to postpone the release of Gran Turismo potentially played a role in generating positive buzz and aiding in its remarkable comeback. The success of the movie serves as a valuable reminder to never underestimate the power of films, as they have the capability to surpass expectations and gain momentum through effective hype.

Despite a lackluster beginning, Gran Turismo has achieved a significant box office milestone nearly a month into its release. The film, which is based on a true story, premiered in theaters on August 25 after facing a slight delay due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. It centers around Jann Mardenborough, a teenager who secures a spot at GT Academy and has the opportunity to become a professional racecar driver due to his exceptional performance on the Gran Turismo racing simulator. While Gran Turismo received mixed reviews from critics, it has experienced a resurgence in popularity at the box office.

According to Collider, Gran Turismo has crossed the $100 million mark in global box office revenue, accumulating a total of $102 million. This achievement is especially remarkable considering the movie had a slow start. Initially, it earned $17.4 million during its opening weekend, including $5.3 million from previews. As a result, its actual opening earnings were on the lower end of predictions, which had estimated a debut of $12-$15 million. However, the film gained momentum in recent weeks and ultimately reached $102 million, thus ensuring that Gran Turismo has at least covered its costs.

Did Gran Turismo's Delay Help Box Office Numbers?

Gran Turismo's success is somewhat surprising, considering its lackluster start and the unpredictable box office performance in 2023. Films like The Flash and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, which were expected to do well, ended up flopping. On the other hand, unexpected hits like Barbie and Oppenheimer exceeded expectations. Given the uncertain box office climate and the hindered promotion caused by the SAG-AFTRA strike, the success of Gran Turismo was somewhat of a gamble.

One factor that may have contributed to the movie's success was Sony's decision to delay its wide release. Originally set to premiere on August 11, the release was pushed back to the 25th. However, previews were still available in select theaters prior to the wide release. Since Sony's promotion efforts were affected by the strike, it is believed that the studio relied on word of mouth to generate buzz for Gran Turismo.

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It is uncertain whether the delay had a positive impact on the film's performance, but audience promotion may have influenced it. The initial slow start of Gran Turismo followed by a sudden resurgence suggests that word of mouth and post-release hype attracted some viewers to the theater. With its basis on a true story and featuring renowned actors like David Harbour and Orlando Bloom, there has undoubtedly been a lot of buzz surrounding the film. Gran Turismo's accomplishment also serves as a reminder that it is premature to dismiss movies early on, as some can gain momentum and success later if they generate enough excitement.

Source: Collider