Denzel Washington Is Doing The Unthinkable At The Box Office
The Equalizer 3 made its global box office debut on September 1, surpassing expectations by raking in $60 million, of which $42 million was generated during the extended four-day Labor Day weekend in the U.S. Since then, the Denzel Washington-led movie has earned approximately $7.2 million domestically and $8.3 million from international markets, resulting in a worldwide total of $132 million.
The Equalizer 3‘s impressive box office haul means that the film might end up being the trilogy’s biggest performer.
While the figures are almost identical to the earnings of its predecessor, the final installment in the action franchise is lagging slightly behind. According to Collider, the Denzel Washington film has amassed a domestic total of slightly less than $75 million, with its international earnings hovering just below $60 million.
Among The Equalizer 3’s top-performing foreign markets is the United Kingdom with $6 million, followed by Australia with $4 million, Spain with $3 million, along with Italy and The Netherlands with $1.5 million each. The film’s impressive earnings underscored Denzel Washington’s enduring appeal, proving he can draw viewers to a movie, even without active promotion.
Due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, Denzel Washington and fellow Screen Actors Guild members are barred from engaging in promotional activities for their movies. The studios’ reluctance to offer equitable compensation to artists has led to the postponement of several anticipated releases, resulting in substantial financial losses.
In addition to its commercial success, The Equalizer 3 has earned the highest critical acclaim within the film trilogy, boasting an impressive 75 percent average critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie has received praise for its cathartic action sequences and entertainment value, with Denzel Washington lauded for his portrayal of Robert McCall.
Final Act For The Equalizer
The Equalizer 3 marks the end of Denzel Washington’s role as McCall, with Antoine Fuqua describing it as the actor’s “final masterpiece of violence.” The story follows McCall as he enjoys a newfound sense of peace in southern Italy, where he forms new relationships. However, his tranquil life is threatened when he discovers that the Sicilian Mafia has influence over his friends.
McCall must tap into his dangerous side to confront the Mafia and protect his otherwise stable existence. Denzel Washington stars alongside Dakota Fanning, marking a reunion for the two actors who previously appeared together in the 2004 film Man on Fire. While this marks the conclusion of Washington’s role in the series, Fuqua remains open to continuing the story if he wants to return.
The Equalizer 3‘s impressive earnings underscored Denzel Washington’s enduring appeal, proving he can draw viewers to a movie, even without active promotion.
Denzel Washington will next be seen in the Gladiator 2. Directed by Ridley Scott from a script by David Scarpa, the epic historical drama serves as a sequel to the 2000 classic Gladiator. The stellar cast also includes Paul Mescal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Djimon Hounsou, and Derek Jacobi, with the latter three reprising their original roles.
Gladiator 2 is produced by Scott Free Productions in collaboration with Paramount Pictures and Universal Pictures and is scheduled for release on November 22, 2024. Denzel Washington also has another project called The Piano Lesson in the works, though he will only serve as producer. The film stars John David Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Fisher, and Danielle Deadwyler.
