Gran Turismo Struggles at Global Box Office: Sony’s “Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story” is reaching $80 million worldwide but is underperforming. The picture will likely gross $30 million domestically by Labor Day weekend, but Sony wasn’t expecting that. The film’s lukewarm reviews and low financial gains contrast with Sony’s last major video game adaptation, “Uncharted,” which grossed over $400 million worldwide.
Sony anticipates “Gran Turismo” to gross $80 million worldwide after Labor Day. The film made $8.7 million from 64 overseas territories this weekend and $50 million globally. The UK and Spain gave $3 million apiece, Mexico $2.4 million, and France $2.3 million. The film has barely recouped its $60 million expenditure. “Gran Turismo” is unprofitable since movies must make twice their budgets to break even. Sony’s previous video game adaptation, “Uncharted,” made $400 million. There’s a considerable discrepancy as “Uncharted” had twice the budget of “Gran Turismo.”
“Gran Turismo,” Neill Blomkamp’s mainstream return, was directed. “Chappie,” Blomkamp’s 2015 studio feature, followed his 2009 smash “District 9” with over $200 million worldwide and an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. “Gran Turismo” gets mixed reviews and a 63% Rotten Tomatoes score, bordering “fresh.” Ross Bonaime of Collider criticized the film’s clichés and direction. It stars Archie Madekwe, Orlando Bloom, David Harbour, Djimon Hounsou, and Geri Halliwell-Horner. Despite the major stars, Ross Bonaime of Collider called the film a “traffic jam of clichés,” leaving viewers wanting “many other racing movie options open to them.”
“Gran Turismo” has covered its budget, but its meager box office returns cast doubt on video game adaptations, especially when contrasted to “Uncharted.” The film’s results may warn companies considering adapting video games into feature films that star power, plot, and direction are crucial. With its present trend, “Gran Turismo” will struggle to achieve $100 million internationally, a substantial drop from Sony’s earlier adaptations. Whether this affects Sony’s future projects or other studios’ is unknown. For now, “Gran Turismo” illustrates the difficulties of translating successful video games into box office hits. Follow the story for updates.
