“Paddington in Peru” has performed well amidst box office competition, grossing a total of $164 million worldwide despite being the lowest-grossing film in the franchise. The film has received a positive reception with a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score, continuing the legacy of its predecessors. A fourth installment is already in production.
Despite Universal’s lack of confidence in the potential of the Bridget Jones franchise for domestic box office success, opting to release “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” on Peacock instead, the beloved Paddington Bear has resonated well with audiences in the United States. The latest film, “Paddington in Peru,” remains among the top five at the box office this weekend, competing with titles such as “Mufasa: The Lion King,” “Dog Man,” and “Ne Zha 2.”
Although “Paddington in Peru” is currently the lowest-grossing film in the franchise, it has generated $31 million domestically and $133 million internationally for a total of $164 million globally, with the U.K. contributing nearly $50 million. The film debuted in the U.K. last November and was initially set for a January release in the U.S. but was postponed to February. Despite its following in North America, there appears to be a downward trend in box office revenue for the series.
In comparison, the original “Paddington” film achieved over $75 million domestically and nearly $320 million worldwide, while “Paddington 2” garnered over $40 million domestically and more than $280 million internationally. Notably, both earlier films were directed by Paul King, who did not return for this installment; the direction was handed to Dougal Wilson, a first-time director overseeing the franchise’s largest budget yet, at $90 million.
Each installment of the Paddington film series has received critical acclaim, with the first film boasting a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while “Paddington 2” holds an outstanding 99% score, often cited as one of the greatest sequels ever. “Paddington in Peru” has also achieved a commendable 93% rating. The film features the voice talent of Ben Whishaw as Paddington, with returning cast members including Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters, and Jim Broadbent, and Emily Mortimer taking over the role originally played by Sally Hawkins.
Moreover, discussions for a fourth film are already underway. “Paddington 3” is currently available in theaters, and audiences are encouraged to stay updated with further developments from Collider regarding the future of the franchise.
“Paddington in Peru” is set to release on November 8, 2024, with a runtime of 106 minutes. Directed by Dougal Wilson, the film is crafted by writers Mark Burton, James Lamont, Jon Foster, and Michael Bond, with producers including Jeffrey Clifford, Tim Wellspring, Paul King, Ron Halpern, Dan MacRae, Naoya Kinoshita, and Rosie Alison, showcasing the beloved Paddington Brown on his adventure to Peru to visit Aunt Lucy at the Home for Retired Bears, alongside the Brown Family.
In summary, “Paddington in Peru” has performed reasonably well at the box office, despite being the lowest-grossing film in the franchise. While it has garnered significant international revenue, there is evidence of declining box office performance for the Paddington series in North America. However, the film maintains a strong critical reception, indicating that Paddington Bear continues to be a cherished character. The franchise’s future appears bright, with a fourth installment already in development.
Original Source: collider.com
