Early word is positive based on early screenings (occurred on 10/6) while Rami Malek's performance is praised. However, critics like Anne Thompson and Kyle Buchanan were disappointed with the movie but loved Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury.

Thanks to its trailer reactions/views and tracking based on early advanced ticket sales on Fandango Pulse, I'm thinking it will open around $45M but will have weaker legs due to its lack of Oscar Buzz (though it's possible that Malek will get nominated for Best Actor) and weaker WOM than ASIB.

OW: $45M
Total: $120-130M total range

This never seemed like a major Oscar player outside of tech categories and Rami Malek, and it also has the stink of being associated with Bryan Singer, so I don't think it will play for very long. Will be an afterthought by Christmas as Mary Poppins becomes the go to family/older crowd event.

There is definitely hype though and people love Queen. Reviews will probably be meh but not toxic, so I think the floor is Walk the Line adjusted which would be a low 30s OW.

Should do $35M+. Seems to be a lot of interest.

An opening in the 30's seems more likely for this which would still be pretty damn solid IMO.

Yeah, I see an opening in the 30s too.

I wouldn't be surprised with an opening over $50m. The fanbase is there so it will be frontloaded but the OW is what it is all about for those one.

No.

I’m watching it but remi Malek is no Lady Gaga or Bradley cooper.

An opening close to Straight Outta Compton isn't out of the question, but I definitely agree the legs will be a lot weaker than ASIB even if Widows flops. However, it is looking very strong for a breakout.

Rotten on RT rn.

I think this will be a situation like Venom that anticipation is so high that it'll still have a big opening. Oscar chances looks like only Malek may get in, which he may not even get in if the film isn't that well received.

I'm not seeing a huge opening. Will appeal more to older folks who were actually alive when Mercury was, and because of that it might have a lengthy run (if good) but a subdued opening. I see anywhere from $12-18m opening weekend. I know they've tried to jazz it up to appeal to youngsters, but I honestly doubt any care about the story of Queen even if they do like the odd track.

And -save for a last-minute calculated press attack- the Bryan Singer stench has well and truly gone.

Overhyped and over-tracked. Should be happy with a $20m OW, which is the highest I see for it. The younger generation won't have much interest, and even people my parent's age who grew up with Queen don't seem to be clamoring for this.

Yeah, this isn't opening below 20m.

Mercury now has status as an icon in gay culture and is a hero for any sort of libertine. The reviews will hurt no doubt, but I still think it has the hype for a debut to rival A Star Is Born.

I had it at $32 million opening pre-reviews, downgrading now to $24 million. I think Queen has a strong enough following, and the trailer is fun enough to get many regular people in, but I think it'll fail to break out beyond that.

Under

Based on the fanbase it should go over $50m. The poor reviews will likely drop it closer to $40m though.

Yeah, I don't get it. They could make a Rolling Stones biopic and my parents aren't going to rush out to see it. I'm not convicted a band's popularity necessarily translates to box office success.

12-15m opening weekend tops. Maybe a 40-50m finish.

Yeah everyone knows the one song from them, as long as they don't have to acknowledge that the lead singer was gay and it is not enough to propel people to go see a gay themed movie.

Mainstream audiences are just uncomfortable with "the gay"...

However, if Borat had been cast as Mercury like everyone wanted him to be it might have done better....

Lord

Sure there's a fanbase, but I'm not feeling the hype for an opening over 30M. I think there's a better chance it will open under 20M, than get close to A Star Is Born OW.

Under.

Legend

Over since it's not opening against Venom. Even with mixed reviews plenty of people are looking forward to this one.

Music bios are so tough to predict. You never know if it'll do the James Brown or Walk the Line numbers. The music marketing always makes it a weird sell (Obviously the music is popular, but does anyone give a shit) Star is Born is kind of a bad comparison as that was a fictional love story.

I don't see it doing better than A Star is Born but anything over 25 million opening would be great. I'll be there, my favorite band of all time and the guy looks very convincing in the role (Though I hated him in Mr. Robot)

For what it's worth, it opened very well in the UK (way better than ASIB). I don't know how that will translate well to the US Box Office though.

Seems expected. Queen were huge in the UK. Bigger in the UK than in the US, I think. And Lady Gaga is bigger in the US than the UK.