"Bad Boys: Ride or Die" Proves Franchise Is Stronger Than Ever

“Bad Boys: Ride or Die" rolled into theaters over the weekend, proving the action-comedy franchise is more vital than ever. The fourth installment in the series, starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, topped the box office on its opening day and went on to rake in an impressive $56 million domestically and a staggering $104.6 million globally.

This marks the franchise's second-best opening, surpassing expectations and showcasing the enduring appeal of Miami Police Department detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett. The film also boasts a star-studded cast including Jacob Scipio, Eric Dane, Vanessa Hudgens, Tasha Smith and Joe Pantoliano.

Critics and audiences alike are raving about "Bad Boys: Ride or Die." The New York Times hails it as "a triumph," while Comicbook.com calls it "the most fun summer blockbuster in years." USA Today praises the lead actors, noting that "Smith and Lawrence's chemistry is as infectious as ever."

Audiences seem to agree, giving the film an A- CinemaScore and a jaw-dropping 97 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. This enthusiastic reception echoes the success of 2020's "Bad Boys for Life," which ended up as the highest-grossing North American release that year.

Directed by the dynamic duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah for Columbia Pictures, "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" follows Lowrey and Burnett as they uncover a scheme to frame their late police captain (played by Pantoliano). The R-rated film clocks in at 115 minutes packed with the high-octane action and sharp wit fans have come to love since the franchise's inception in 1995.

With its box office dominance and audience acclaim, "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" cements the franchise's status as a beloved staple of American cinema. As summer heats up, this is one ride you won't want to miss.

“Bad Boys: Ride or Die” is playing in theaters now and will be available for licensing from Swank soon.