Colleen Hoover fans are reportedly flocking to theaters to see Blake Lively’s It Ends With Us. While the book is the most popular among Hoover’s works, it cannot be categorized as a critically acclaimed work. The reviews from theaters too suggest a similar situation as the critics appear to hate Lively’s film.
For film lovers, Luca Guadagnino’s Challengers performing worse than Lively’s new film is a slap on the face. On the surface, the two films touch upon sensitive subjects. While Challengers was promoted as an art film, Lively brought in her husband Ryan Reynolds to promote it as a commercial film.
Blake Lively’s It Ends With Us Shines At The Box Office With $24 Million Opening Day
Colleen Hoover fans will be on cloud nine to hear that Blake Lively‘s It Ends With Us, based on the author’s work, has almost recouped its production budget on Day 1. According to Variety, the film has grossed $24 million on its debut, while its budget is $25 million.
The film is expected to end the three-day frame of the weekend with a collection north of $45 million. While her husband’s film is topping worldwide box office charts, Lively managed to beat its prime competition this week, Borderlands. Reports suggest that Cate Blanchett‘s film is heading towards a complete disaster.
Well, the reviews of the film are an entirely different story. According to Rotten Tomatoes, Lively’s film has a 59% rotten rating from 120 reviews. The website consensus also criticized the “clunky” dialogue in the film, but takes a dig at Hoover by stating that the film was more graceful than the book.
However, 1000+ verified audience members (of which a majority might be Hoover’s fans) are currently vouching for the film, with a 94% audience score on the site. Some fans are frustrated at how easily the film is making money at the box office. Fan reactions at the opening collection read:
Am I the only one that’s not feeling the movie ? 🤔
— Chiads (@chiads11) August 10, 2024
why are people going to the theatre for this 😭
— lys⁷ 𓏲 𓂃 𓈒 𓏸 ۫ 𓍯 (@yogukkiee) August 10, 2024
Twilight – Hunger Games numbers
— Anna (@Anxa14878070) August 10, 2024
Wow 😳
— Rajesh Yadav (@rajeshysp) August 10, 2024
Ended Zendaya. Wow
— alcatraz90 (@bmnews85) August 10, 2024
The last comment was a dig at Zendaya‘s Challengers, which barely managed to stay afloat at the box office despite positive reviews. According to Variety, the film only netted $6.2 million on its opening day with a budget of $55 million. At the end of its theatrical run, the film amassed a total of $94 million (via Box Office Mojo).
It also had an 88% Tomatometer score. Further, the film also had Oscar-winner Luca Guadagnino at the helm. Movie lovers are a little disappointed that the original film Challengers had to bow down before It Ends with Us.
Blake Lively’s Presence Boosted The Film But Also Sparked Rumors Of A Feud
Blake Lively’s Lily Bloom moves to Boston to start a new life and meets Justin Baldoni’s Ryle Kincaid. However, the relationship takes a turn for the worst, at which point Lily’s first love Atlas Corrigan also enters the picture, a role played by Brandon Sklenar. Baldoni is also the director of the film, asreports emerged of a feud between Baldoni and Lively.
According to USA Today, Baldoni appeared on the red carpet of the film’s New York premiere along with his wife Emily Baldoni, and did not pose for photos with Lively. The Green Lantern actress posed with other cast members like Sklenar and Jenny Slate. Moreover, Hoover and Lively follow each other on Instagram, but neither of them follow Baldoni.
Lively has been actively promoting the film, even bringing in her husband Ryan Reynolds, and Hugh Jackman for events. It Ends with Us is currently running in theaters, while Challengers is streaming on MGM+.
