“Challengers”, the latest film from Amazon MGM Studios, has generated mixed reviews and responses during its previews. While the movie made $1.9 million, falling slightly behind Universal’s “Cocaine Bear”, it is expected to reach $15 million by the end of the weekend. The critics have given it a favorable score of 91% certified fresh. However, audience reactions have been lukewarm, with three stars on Screen Engine/Comscore’s PostTrak and a 56% definite recommend.
Interestingly, the audience breakdown for “Challengers” shows a varied demographic. Women over 25 and under 25 turned out to watch the film, with men over 25 accompanying dates making up a significant portion. Surprisingly, Zendaya’s male fans over 25 seemed to appreciate the movie the most, giving it an 80% rating. The movie resonated best with viewers between 25-34 and 45-54, with 80% and 82% respective grades.
On the other hand, Lionsgate and Kingdom Story’s “Unsung Hero” garnered $1.67 million in previews, showcasing a different narrative. The faith-based film, directed by Joel Smallbone and Richard L. Ramsey, tells the story of David Smallbone’s journey to becoming a five-time Grammy Award-winning artist. Despite a lower budget of $6 million, the movie promises to make a substantial return at the box office.
“Unsung Hero” seems to have struck the right chord with its audience, as early PostTrak exits revealed a perfect rating of five stars, with 96% positivity and an 86% definite recommendation. The viewership skewed towards a predominantly female audience, with a notable 48% over 55.
While both “Challengers” and “Unsung Hero” have had promising starts at the box office, their success will depend on sustained audience interest and positive word-of-mouth. The different demographics and themes of the two films offer a diverse range of viewing experiences for moviegoers. It will be interesting to see how they perform in the coming weeks and whether they can maintain their momentum in the competitive film industry.