Taylor Swift has once again proven her star power with the release of her concert film, “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour”, which has smashed the box office records for a concert film in its opening weekend. The film, which was filmed over three nights at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles this summer, has earned between $95 million and $97 million in North America, according to AMC Theatres, the distributor of the film. This makes it the biggest opening for a concert film of all time, surpassing the previous record held by “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never”, which grossed $73 million in 2011.
A Phenomenal Tour Becomes A Phenomenal Film
The Eras Tour, which started in March and continues through much of next year, has been a cultural phenomenon that has boosted the economy of the cities where Swift performed. The tour has grossed more than $780 million and earned Swift an estimated $305 million, according to Forbes. The tour features Swift performing songs from her nine studio albums, each representing a different era of her musical evolution. The tour also showcases Swift’s elaborate stage production, costumes, dancers, and special guests.
The film, directed by Sam Wrench, captures the essence of the tour and gives fans who couldn’t score a ticket a chance to experience the spectacle on the big screen. The film runs for nearly three hours and includes behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and fan interactions. The film also features some of Swift’s celebrity friends and collaborators, such as Ed Sheeran, Selena Gomez, Shawn Mendes, and Travis Kelce.
A Record-Breaking Opening Weekend
The film had a massive debut, earning between $95 million and $97 million in North America, AMC Theatres said Sunday. The film also performed well internationally, bringing in an additional $35 million from 70 markets, according to Variety. The film’s global total stands at $130 million, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 2023.
The film also broke several records in its opening weekend, such as:
- The second largest October opening day ever, following 2019’s “Joker”, which brought in $39.3 million. The Eras Tour film made $39 million on its opening day, including about $2.8 million in Thursday previews.
- The seventh best opening day of 2023, between this year’s hit films “Oppenheimer”, which brought in $43 million and “The Little Mermaid”, which earned $38 million.
- The best opening day of the fall, bringing new life into the movie season that has been suffering while actors remain on strike and are unable to promote projects.
- The highest-ever grossing concert film domestically, beating out “Justin Bieber: Never Say Never”’s $73 million run and “Michael Jackson’s This Is It”, which previously held second place with a $72 million U.S. total.
A Celebration Of Swift’s Music And Fans
The film has received rave reviews from critics and fans alike, who praised Swift’s musical talent, charisma, and connection with her audience. The film has a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 54 reviews, with an average rating of 8.4/10. The site’s critics consensus reads: “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour celebrates the pop star’s musical journey with a dazzling concert film that showcases her talent, creativity, and genuine love for her fans.”
The film also received a rare A+ CinemaScore from moviegoers, indicating a high level of satisfaction and word-of-mouth. Many fans expressed their excitement and gratitude on social media, sharing their photos and videos from the theater and thanking Swift for making them feel seen and heard. Some fans even dressed up as their favorite Swift eras and exchanged homemade bracelets with other Swifties.
Swift herself thanked her fans for their support and enthusiasm in an Instagram post on Sunday. She wrote: “I’m so blown away by your response to the Eras Tour movie. Thank you so much for coming out to see it this weekend. I’m so grateful to you for making this such a special experience for me. I love you guys more than words can say.”
