Street Fighter Tops Box Office Despite Mixed Reviews

Key points

• Street Fighter is projected to open with $30 million domestically and $35 million internationally, totaling a $70 million global debut.
• The film, directed by Kitao Sakurai, features Noah Centineo, Andrew Koji, and Callina Liang.
• It faces competition from A24’s Elizabeth Holmes documentary You Can See Everything and 20th Century Studios’ Whalefall.
• Critics praise the film’s visuals and action but criticize its incoherent plot and tonal inconsistencies.
• The film is the first major release under the new Paramount-Warner Bros. merger.

Background

Street Fighter is the third feature adaptation of the Capcom video game franchise, which launched in 1987. The film is the first major release under the new Paramount-Warner Bros. merger. Previous video game adaptations, such as The Super Mario Galaxy Movie and Mortal Kombat II, have had mixed box office and critical receptions. The film is projected to open with $70 million globally, with strong performance expected in Asia and Latin America.

How outlets are covering it

The Hollywood Reporter reports that Street Fighter is projected to open with $30 million domestically and $35 million internationally, totaling a $70 million global debut. The film has a 43 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critic Frank Scheck calling it a 'jumbled tonal mess.' Rotten Tomatoes notes that critics praise the film’s visuals and action but criticize its incoherent plot and tonal inconsistencies. Mashable’s Kristy Puchko compares the film to the live-action Super Mario Bros. Movie, praising its chaotic and fun nature. The Guardian’s review describes the film as a 'garish and incoherent mess' that amuses in fits and starts but barely improves on the Mortal Kombat movies. A24’s You Can See Everything, a documentary about Elizabeth Holmes, is projected to open with $7 million, while 20th Century Studios’ Whalefall is projected to open with $10-12 million.

Why it matters

Street Fighter’s box office performance is significant as it is the first major release under the new Paramount-Warner Bros. merger. The film’s success or failure will impact the future of video game adaptations and the financial health of Paramount. The film’s mixed reviews highlight the challenges of adapting video games into films, with critics praising the visuals but criticizing the plot and tone. The film’s performance will also impact the future of the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger and the broader film industry.

What to watch

Street Fighter is expected to continue performing well at the box office, with strong performance expected in Asia and Latin America. The film’s success or failure will impact the future of video game adaptations and the financial health of Paramount. A24’s You Can See Everything is expected to perform well in limited release, while 20th Century Studios’ Whalefall is expected to open with $10-12 million. The film’s mixed reviews will likely impact the future of the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger and the broader film industry.