It seems like the magic of Spielberg couldn’t save The BFG, as it has stumbled on its opening weekend.
Opening on over 3,330 screens, The BFG only managed $19 million against competition in The Legend of Tarzan, The Purge: Election Year and box office giant Finding Dory. With a production budget of $140 million, this is a very disappointing opening. Not only is it from a beloved literary classic, it’s also a return to studio blockbusters for Spielberg following Bridge of Spies, Lincoln and Warhorse. Some would even argue this is Spielberg’s biggest movie since Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in 2008.
Internationally the movie opened in Russia and Australia and earned an extra $9 million.
SEE ALSO – Read our review of The BFG here
The BFG (Mark Rylance), while a giant himself, is a Big Friendly Giant and nothing like the other inhabitants of Giant Country. Standing 24-feet tall with enormous ears and a keen sense of smell, he is endearingly dim-witted and keeps to himself for the most part. Giants like Bloodbottler (Bill Hader) and Fleshlumpeater (Jemaine Clement) on the other hand, are twice as big and at least twice as scary and have been known to eat humans, while the BFG prefers Snozzcumbers and Frobscottle. Upon her arrival in Giant Country, Sophie, a precocious 10-year-old girl from London, is initially frightened of the mysterious giant who has brought her to his cave, but soon comes to realize that the BFG is actually quite gentle and charming, and, having never met a giant before, has many questions. The BFG brings Sophie to Dream Country where he collects dreams and sends them to children, teaching her all about the magic and mystery of dreams.
Having both been on their own in the world up until now, their affection for one another quickly grows. But Sophie’s presence in Giant Country has attracted the unwanted attention of the other giants, who have become increasingly more bothersome. Says Spielberg, “It’s a story about friendship, it’s a story about loyalty and protecting your friends and it’s a story that shows that even a little girl can help a big giant solve his biggest problems.” Sophie and the BFG soon depart for London to see the Queen (Penelope Wilton) and warn her of the precarious giant situation, but they must first convince the Queen and her maid, Mary (Rebecca Hall), that giants do indeed exist. Together, they come up with a plan to get rid of the giants once and for all.
The BFG is directed by Steven Spielberg (Jurassic Park) with a cast that includes Mark Rylance (Ready Player One), Ruby Barnhill (4 O’Clock Club), Penelope Wilton (Downtown Abbey), Jemaine Clement (What We Do in the Shadows), Rebecca Hall (Iron Man 3), Rafe Spall (The Big Short), Bill Hader (Trainwreck).
Originally published July 4, 2016. Updated June 30, 2023.
