Spanish cinema is experiencing a moment of box office euphoria. The premiere of La bola negra, the long-awaited return to the big screen by Los Javis, has shattered forecasts by grossing 4,814,581 euros in its first weekend in Spanish theaters. The figure not only makes the film the phenomenon of the week, but also boosts the entire national box office to 10.72 million euros, the third best weekly result of the year.
The data is particularly relevant because it comes after a long tour of the film through international festivals, which had generated enormous anticipation among the public before its arrival in theaters.
A historic debut for Spanish cinema
La bola negra has attracted 634,500 spectators in its premiere, a figure that places it in the ninth position of the best premieres in the history of Spanish cinema. Furthermore, it is the second best start of the post-pandemic era, only behind Torrente presidente, released earlier this year.
The film's budget is around 14 million euros, an investment that, according to available data, would already be amortized thanks to the international distribution agreements signed after its festival run.
The return of Los Javis, nine years later
The figure for this premiere contrasts with the approximately 490,000 euros that La llamada grossed in its theatrical debut, exactly nine years ago. Since then, Los Javis had not returned to cinema, although they have maintained intense activity in television with several successful projects.
La bola negra is their second feature film and, in addition, their first foray into pure drama, following a career marked by observational comedies. The 155-minute film, classified as a historical drama with LGBT themes, features a cast led by Penélope Cruz, Glenn Close, Miguel Bernardeau, Guitarricadelafuente, and Lorenzo Zurzolo.
Vengadores: Endgame and En el corazón de la bestia complete the podium
Without the premiere of La bola negra, the headline of the week would have been starred by the re-release of Vengadores: Endgame, which repeats in Spain the good performance recorded in the United States, where it led the box office with 26 million dollars. In our country, the Marvel film occupies second place with 1,479,053 euros, already adding 89 million dollars globally in this return to theaters, a figure that is added to the 2.8 billion dollars it achieved in its original 2019 release.
Third place goes to En el corazón de la bestia, starring Brad Pitt. Despite a discreet start in the United States, the film has performed much better in Spain, staying very close to Vengadores: Endgame with 1,342,119 euros grossed.
Four films exceed one million euros
For the first time in a long time, four titles managed to cross the one-million-euro barrier in the same weekend. Fourth place goes to Resident Evil, which in its second week adds 1,136,587 euros and reaches a cumulative total of 4.25 million euros in Spain.
The top 5 is closed by the premiere of La isla olvidada, from Universal, which fails to take off and stays at 424,226 euros, repeating in Spain the poor results it had already harvested in the United States.
Summer classics hold on in the top 10
The second half of the table is occupied by titles that marked the summer season and that, although they are losing steam, still generate significant income.
- Coyote contra Acme remains in sixth position in its second week, with a 43% drop compared to its premiere and 366,650 euros additional, for a cumulative total of 1.26 million euros.
- Tadeo Jones y la lámpara maravillosa occupies seventh place, with 277,107 euros more that raise its total collection above 7 million euros, specifically 7,161,707 euros, consolidating itself as the Spanish film of the summer.
- La Odisea, by Christopher Nolan, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day remain practically inseparable in the table, with 204,687 euros and 140,072 euros respectively. In cumulative terms, the Marvel film surpasses Nolan's, with 40.1 million euros versus 38.7 million.
- El ser querido, by Rodrigo Sorogoyen, closes the top 10. After several weeks of good performance, the arrival of La bola negra seems to have affected the film, which suffers a 65% drop in its fifth week and adds 110,245 euros. All in all, its cumulative total already exceeds 4 million euros, reaching 4,024,231 euros.
With these results, the Spanish box office closes one of its best weekends of the year, with La bola negra as the great protagonist. It remains to be seen how the film evolves in the coming weeks and if it manages to maintain this pace of collection in theaters.
Frequently asked questions
How much has La bola negra grossed in its premiere in Spain?
The film has grossed 4,814,581 euros in its first weekend, with 634,500 spectators in Spanish theaters.
Who directs La bola negra?
The film is directed by Los Javis, who return to cinema nine years after their debut with La llamada and face pure drama for the first time after a career focused on comedy.
Which actors star in La bola negra?
The cast is led by Penélope Cruz, Glenn Close, Miguel Bernardeau, Guitarricadelafuente, and Lorenzo Zurzolo.
What position does this premiere occupy in the history of Spanish cinema?
It is the ninth best premiere in the history of Spanish cinema and the second best of the post-pandemic era, only behind Torrente presidente.
What was the budget for La bola negra?
The film's budget is around 14 million euros, a figure that would have already been amortized thanks to the international agreements closed after its festival run.
How did the re-release of Vengadores: Endgame do in Spain?
The re-release of Vengadores: Endgame occupied second place at the Spanish box office with 1,479,053 euros, adding 89 million dollars globally in this return to theaters.
What other films stand out in the top 10 of the week?
The list is completed by Resident Evil, La isla olvidada, Coyote contra Acme, Tadeo Jones y la lámpara maravillosa, La Odisea, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and El ser querido.
