Sony, a major player in the film industry, is making a bold move with the release of Apple Original Films’ latest romantic comedy, Fly Me to the Moon. The film, directed by Greg Berlanti and starring Channing Tatum and Scarlett Johansson, is targeting the underserved female moviegoing audience. With a budget of $100 million, Sony is hoping to attract this demographic to cinemas this weekend.
The story follows a brassy ad exec, played by Johansson, who is recruited by the U.S. government to create a back-up plan for NASA’s 1969 moon landing. Along the way, she forms a bond with a launch director portrayed by Tatum. The movie has garnered solid first-choice interest among women over 25, indicating that Sony’s strategy may be paying off.
Fly Me to the Moon is currently projected to have a $12 million opening weekend, slightly behind another recent release, Ticket to Paradise, starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts. However, with positive reviews at 71% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, the film is off to a promising start.
Sony secured the distribution rights for Fly Me to the Moon, along with two other upcoming films, from Apple. This partnership allows Sony to bring these movies to theaters before they hit the streaming service, creating an event-like experience for moviegoers.
Despite its strong opening, Fly Me to the Moon faces tough competition at the box office. Illumination/Universal’s Despicable Me 4 is expected to dominate the weekend with a projected $33 million in its second week. Additionally, Disney/Pixar’s Inside Out 2 is still going strong, with a fifth weekend projection of $18 million.
In addition to Sony’s release, Neon is entering the box office race with the R-rated genre film, Longlegs. Starring Nicolas Cage and Maika Monroe, the film has generated buzz with its intriguing marketing campaign and positive reviews. With a plot centered around an FBI agent investigating a serial killer case with occult ties, Longlegs has the potential to surprise audiences.
Sony’s decision to target the female moviegoing audience with Fly Me to the Moon is a strategic move that has the potential to pay off. With a strong cast, positive reviews, and a solid marketing strategy, the film is poised to attract a diverse audience to cinemas this weekend. As the box office competition heats up, it will be interesting to see how Fly Me to the Moon performs in comparison to its rivals.