The success of “Bohemian Rhapsody” was heavily driven by overseas ticket sales, which accounted for around three-quarters of its worldwide gross. In particular, there was a strong wave of Queen fever in Japan and South Korea, which between them delivered $189.8 million. “Bohemian Rhapsody” set new box office records for the category of music biopics around the world, and early numbers for “Bob Marley: One Love” indicate we could be seeing another internationally-driven hit.
According to Deadline, “One Love” grossed $4.9 million across 10 foreign markets on its opening day, and in several of those countries secured the second-biggest opening day for a music biopic ever, behind “Bohemian Rhapsody.” With a population of just 2.8 million people, the island nation of Jamaica doesn’t often make enough of an impact at the box office to be included in discussions — but today is the exception. An opening day total of approximately $100,000 for “Bob Marley: One Love” has set a new all-time record for the country across all movie genres, not just music biopics.
It remains to be seen whether upcoming music biopics about Amy Winehouse (“Back in Black,” starring Marisa Abela), Bob Dylan (“A Complete Unknown,” set to star Timothée Chalamet), and other music icons will see this some success. But for “Bob Marley: One Love,” it looks like everything’s gonna be alright.