Despite its significant cultural impact, ‘Call Me By Your Name’ didn’t quite ignite the box office. However, director Luca Guadagnino’s latest, ‘Challengers,’ has swiftly taken the crown as his highest-grossing film. Moreover, it now holds the title of the highest-grossing tennis movie ever made, although the field in that genre is relatively narrow.
A scorching romantic drama set in the feild of tennis, ‘Challengers’ served up a strong opening weekend just a few days ago and has since smashed through various box office milestones. On Tuesday alone, it raked in an additional $2.6 million domestically, pushing its total to $19 million. This surpasses ‘Call Me By Your Name’s’ domestic earnings of $18 million in 2017.
While ‘Call Me By Your Name’ starred Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer in a mesmerizing summer romance in Italy, earning critical acclaim and multiple Oscar nominations, ‘Challengers’ features Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor and is also gathering awards buzz. It’s poised to overtake ‘Call Me By Your Name’s’ global earnings of $41 million soon.
Notably, ‘Challengers’ has outperformed other tennis-themed films like ‘Wimbledon,’ ‘King Richard,’ and ‘Battle of the Sexes’ at the domestic box office. It’s also a testament to Zendaya’s star power, especially following her success with ‘Dune: Part Two.’ Zendaya, who also produces the film, has proven her ability to draw audiences.
For Guadagnino, ‘Challengers’ marks a career high, both commercially and creatively. With a reported budget of $55 million, it’s his most ambitious project yet. The film explores the complex dynamics between two tennis players and their coach over a decade, earning acclaim for its intricate storytelling and charged performances.
Originally slated for release in September 2023, ‘Challengers’ faced delays due to industry strikes. Nevertheless, it’s now charming audiences in theaters, offering a thrilling and compelling cinematic experience. Stay tuned to Collider for further updates on this gripping film.
