Fox’s Freddie Mercury and Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody is far from being a good picture, but viewers liked it–a lot.
The musical overperformed with a massive $50 million when it debuted in 4,000 theaters November 2, easily dominating the domestic box-office over fellow newcomers, Disney’s The Nutcrackers and the Four Realm and the comedy Nobody’s Fool.
Bohemian Rhapsody ranks as the second-best start for a music biopic, following 2015’s “Straight Outta Compton” ($60.2 million).
It also topped the domestic debut of Warner’s A Star Is Born, which launched with a solid $42 million last month.
Rami Malek, the best thing in the film, stars as iconic Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in the picture, which cost around $50 million to produce. The success is bittersweet for Fox as the studio prepares to merge with Disney.
Bohemian Rhapsody has generated mixed critical response (less than 60 percent positive reviews), though audiences have embraced it with an A CinemaScore.
Overseas, “Bohemian Rhapsody” bowed this weekend with $72 million for a global start of $122.5 million. Imax screens accounted for $10 million of its box office total.
The biopic musical, co-produced by New Regency, opened in the UK last weekend with a huge $12.2 million, one of the best debuts in history.
Its worldwide tally currently sits at a strong $141.7 million.
There was turmoil behind the camera, due to unprofessional conduct of director Bryan Singer, whose repeated absence from set caused Fox to temporarily halt production.
Dexter Fletcher replaced Singer after he was fired toward the end of the shoot, though Singer retained sole directing credit.