In the realm of action-comedy blockbusters, few franchises have wielded as much enduring success as Bad Boys. Recently, with the release of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, this storied series propelled itself past a monumental milestone: $1.2 billion in global box office earnings. This achievement underscores not only the franchise’s resilience but also its ability to captivate audiences across decades and generations.
Even with a 20+ year break in between, both the third installment, Bad Boys for Life, and its successor, Bad Boys: Ride or Die, have resonated strongly with viewers worldwide, solidifying the franchise’s position as a powerhouse in contemporary cinema. Despite various challenges and controversies, including lead actor Will Smith’s personal tribulations, the Bad Boys saga continues to thrive, buoyed by a winning formula of adrenaline-pumping action and comedic chemistry between Smith and co-star Martin Lawrence.
As Hollywood navigates shifting audience tastes and economic pressures, the success of Bad Boys: Ride or Die stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of well-crafted, high-octane entertainment. This article explores the ten pivotal moments that have propelled the Bad Boys franchise to its billion-dollar status, celebrating its impact on pop culture and the cinematic landscape.
Bad Boys Franchise Milestones
Global Box Office
The franchise surpassed $1.2 billion at the global box office thanks to Bad Boys: Ride or Die.
Individual Film Earnings
Bad Boys (1995): $141 million against a $19–23 million budget
Bad Boys II (2003): $273 million against a $130 million budget
Bad Boys for Life (2020): $424 million against a $90 million
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024): $361 million (and counting) against a $100 million budget
No 1 in Box Office
All five films, Bad Boys, Bad Boys II, Bad Boys: For Life, Bad Boys: Ride or Die debuted at number one in the box office.
Top 100 Action Movies (US)
Both Bad Boys: For Life and Bad Boys: Ride or Die are in the top grossing 100 action movies of all time at the US Box Office.
Top 5 Domestic Movies of 2020
Bad Boys: For Life reached the top 5 highest-grossing films domestically in 2020
Top 5 Worldwide Movies of 2020
Bad Boys: For Life reached the top 5 highest-grossing films domestically in 2020.
Highest Grossing Movie of 2020
Bad Boys: Ride or Die with a $204M domestic box office record, was the highest-grossing film domestically in 2020.
Second Highest-Grossing Bad Boys Movie
Ride or Die became the second-biggest installment of the series both domestically and worldwide.
Top 10 Grossing Film of 2003
With $273 million worldwide, Bad Boys II became the tenth-highest-grossing film of 2003.
Biggest Holiday 3-Day Opening Weekend Box Office Records for All Movies
Bad Boys For Life had the biggest Martin Luther King Jr. Day opening of all time with $62,504,105