Taylor Swift’s Showgirl Dominates Box Office, Dwayne Johnson’s Flops

LOS ANGELES, CA — Taylor Swift‘s newest project, “The Official Release Party of a Showgirl,” hit the box office with impressive results, earning $33 million over the weekend. Released just two weeks after its announcement, the film showcased Swift’s marketing prowess and the dedication of her fans, known as Swifties.

The film opened with $15.8 million on Friday, saw a drop to $10 million on Saturday, and rounds off with $7.2 million on Sunday. Its total theatrical debut gross reached $33 million, a remarkable figure for a sudden release with minimal promotion.

Swift, a 14-time Grammy winner, not only topped the box office charts but also claimed the number one spot in album sales, as her new album debuted alongside the movie. According to Billboard, she sold 2.7 million physical and digital copies, marking her biggest week ever in album sales.

Box office analysts highlight the uniqueness of Swift’s strategy since the film was marketed largely through her extensive social media presence, which boasts over 548 million followers. With no traditional advertising methods such as trailers or in-theater posters, the swift promotion relied on billboards and social media platforms.

The film’s top-grossing theaters were primarily located at AMC chains, with AMC’s Dine-In Disney Springs in Florida leading with over $95,000 in ticket sales. Other cinemas included Landmark Kanata in Ottawa and Cineplex locations in Toronto and Vancouver.

The performance stands in stark contrast to Dwayne Johnson‘s “The Smashing Machine,” which fell flat, scoring only $6 million during its opening weekend. With a production budget of $50 million, this has been Johnson’s lowest opening as a lead actor, lower even than his earlier films like “Faster” which opened at $8.5 million.

The competition with Swift’s immediate release played a significant role in the disappointing box office figures for Johnson. Critics noted that while Johnson’s film was promoted heavily, it lacked the mainstream appeal expected by his fans, primarily focusing on a dramatic portrayal of UFC fighter Mark Kerr.

The ongoing box office trend showcased Swift’s ability to dominate through timing and reach. Movie-goers’ response to “Showgirl” received an A+ CinemaScore, indicating high approval from audiences. The film’s success has sparked conversations among rival studios, which may look to replicate Swift’s formula in future releases.

As of the latest earnings, “The Smashing Machine” seems to be struggling to justify its production costs, while Swift’s venture stands as a new benchmark in entertainment marketing.