Beyonce’s Spectacular ‘Renaissance’ Dominates December Box Office

Beyonce’s latest venture, “Renaissance: A Film by Beyonce,” made waves at the U.S. box office, securing the top spot with a remarkable $21.8 million (Ksh.3.3 billion) during the traditionally sluggish first weekend of December, according to Comscore.

This achievement marked the first time in nearly two decades that a film exceeded the $20 million (Ksh.3 billion) threshold on this particular weekend, a feat last accomplished by the 2003 film “The Last Samurai” starring Tom Cruise.

Despite historically low box office performance during this timeframe, Comscore’s senior media analyst, Paul Dergarabedian, noted that the film strategically chose an optimal release date. “It’s kind of a dead zone for the box office historically. There’s a lull there that often happens, so I think they picked a great release date.”

“Renaissance” provided fans, famously known as the Beyhive, a chance to experience Beyonce’s concert tour extravagance, complete with silver, metallic outfits and enthusiastic singing and dancing in packed theaters worldwide. The film, capturing the essence of her 56-stop Renaissance World Tour, grossed over $579 million globally, contributing to speculation that it may have influenced inflation in Europe.

Reviewers praised the film for its intimate look at Beyonce’s first world tour since 2016, showcasing frequent costume changes, breathtaking choreography, surreal visuals, and the artist’s multi-platinum voice. Beyond the concert scenes, “Renaissance” offered a rare glimpse into Beyonce’s struggles with stardom and motherhood, along with candid discussions about the challenges and joys of being a Black woman in the music industry.

While “Renaissance” fell short of Taylor Swift’s $96 million opening weekend for her “Eras” concert film, Dergarabedian predicts a similar outcome. “You’re going to sell more downloads of her music, by virtue of having fans in the theatres. And it’s a lot cheaper than a ticket to a concert.”