Sony Motion Picture Group Chairman Tom Rothman has reason to celebrate as the studio received four Golden Globe nominations for its recent releases. “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” and the R-rated comedy “No Hard Feelings” have both contributed to the studio’s success in the awards season. This recognition highlights Sony’s commitment to delivering quality films.
Among Sony’s recent releases, “Anyone But You” stands out as a surprise hit. This romantic comedy, starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell, has experienced an unprecedented 9% jump in its third weekend at the box office, which is highly unusual for the often slower post-holiday season. Since its 3-day domestic $6M opening, the film has earned an impressive 7x multiple, resulting in a gross of $43.7M. Worldwide, “Anyone But You,” which was co-financed by SK Global Entertainment and TSG Entertainment with a budget of $25M, has achieved a total of $58.4M.
Romantic comedies have been underrepresented on the big screen, with many studios favoring streaming services for this genre. However, Rothman challenges this notion, stating that the audience for romantic comedies never truly disappeared, but rather the studios lost faith in them. The success of “Anyone But You” serves as proof that if a romantic comedy is well-made and engaging, audiences will come to watch it. Sony’s willingness to invest in this genre has paid off, revitalizing the romantic comedy for the cinema.
Rothman believes that high-quality films are a necessity for theatrical releases in today’s competitive market. He acknowledges that moviegoers have elevated standards and expect excellence from the films they choose to see in theaters. Sony’s commitment to delivering exceptional content is underscored by its recent achievements, including the success of “Spider-Man: Across the Universe,” which became the third-highest-grossing film domestically last year and the sixth highest-grossing worldwide. This animated Marvel movie breathed new life into the comic-book genre and demonstrated the potential for success when combining talent and innovation.
While Marvel and DC films have faced challenges at the box office in the fourth quarter, Rothman dismisses the notion of superhero fatigue. He firmly believes that it is not a matter of fatigue but rather the audience’s high standards. To succeed in the cinema, movies must excel in every aspect, providing an exceptional experience for moviegoers. Sony’s recent achievements demonstrate that well-crafted films can still captivate audiences and deliver impressive box office results.
Sony Motion Picture Group Chairman Tom Rothman has reason to celebrate with the studio’s four Golden Globe nominations and the unexpected success of “Anyone But You.” This romantic comedy has defied expectations and proven that the genre is far from obsolete. Sony’s commitment to delivering quality films and meeting audience demands for excellence has contributed to its recent achievements. As the industry evolves, Sony continues to innovate and bring captivating stories to the big screen.