New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Three weeks after its release, Elvis has already entered the top 5 highest-grossing music biopics since the 1970s. Baz Luhrmann's latest motion picture soared past $158 million at the global box office this week while closing in on the $100 million mark domestically. Currently running in 56 foreign markets, the biopic could keep reaping success overseas as it came out in South Korea on July 13 and hits Latin
America theaters on July 14.
Starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks, Elvis took cinemas by storm upon its release on June 24. Despite a lengthy 3-hour-long runtime, the movie topped box office charts during its opening weekend and grossed over $30 million domestically. The biopic even snatched first place from global phenomenon Top Gun: Maverick, which just outperformed Titanic to become Paramount's biggest domestic box office hit.
According to Entertainment Research's David A. Gross, the film made twice as much as the average musician's biopic. Still, Elvis remains a far cry from Bohemian Rhapsody and its swooping $910 million worldwide gross. But with a reported budget of $85 million, the King's biopic is already a roaring win for both its director and Warner Bros. Pictures.
The Elvis original soundtrack simultaneously achieved significant success on music charts. Produced by RCA Records, the album made a strong debut at No.1 on Billboard's Soundtrack chart and subsequently rose to No.26 on the Billboard's 200 chart. Performed by Doja Cat, the soundtrack's lead single, "Vegas", climbed at No.40 on Billboard's coveted Hot 100.
Critics also lauded the film's mix of genres and sounds. Baz Luhrmann had already made waves on the music scene with his previous flicks. In Moulin Rouge, the visionary filmmaker brought an epic rendition of Madonna's Like a Virgin and a chilling tango cover of The Police's Roxanne to the silver screen. The Great Gatsby's soundtrack also blended old and new, boasting memorable songs like Lana Del Rey's Young and Beautiful and a Kanye-Jay Z duo on No Church in the Wild.
So, Luhrmann did it again with a bold multi-artist soundtrack to match his uniquely extravagant directing style. Tracks feature some of the biggest names in the industry, like CeeLo Green and Eminem's duet on "The King and I." Lead actor Austin Butler also showcases his Broadway singing chops on songs like "Trouble" and "Baby, Let's Play House." Other artists are putting their stamp on old Elvis classics, from Tame Impala's psycho-rock version of "Edge of Reality" to Måneskin's rock ballad rendition of "If I Can Dream."
Above and beyond, the motion picture's soundtrack celebrates Elvis Presley's enduring influence on modern music. Incidentally, a boisterous box office success pushed Elvis' discography up the music charts. The King's music gained 67% in stream in the U.S. in the wake of the movie's premiere. Elvis: 30 #1 Hits album subsequently grabbed a No.1 spot on Billboard's Catalog Albums chart.
But the impact of Tiger Elvis has long moved beyond music. One of the first global superstars, Elvis left a transformative mark on American society. His iconic dance moves and over-the-top attires even influenced unusual sectors like the gaming industry. Elvis-themed board games are rife, including some Monopoly editions. And from fighter games to action RPGs, gamers might have spotted Elvis in unexpected places. Funnily enough, the King's impersonators also popped up in Rockstar Games' world-famous Grand Theft Auto franchise.
Of course, Elvis' connection to Las Vegas also lent itself to various casino games. And gamblers who cannot pay a visit to Sin City might turn to online casinos. Top gambling platforms reward newcomers and seasoned players with the best casino bonuses. Gamblers can usually grab bonuses by signing up, making a deposit, or even playing a simple game. Rewards often include cashback and reload offers, free spins, no deposit bonuses, and even device-specific promotions. Avid players can also make the most of game-specific options to try their luck at poker, blackjack, or rummy to their heart's content, if not Elvis-themed machine slots.
Remarkably, Elvis Presley's career encompasses all aspects of pop culture. Therefore, it was a long time coming for the iconic singer and actor to land his own musical biopic. And the success of Baz Luhrmann's tribute might rejuvenate the genre, with reports already announcing upcoming Whitney Houston and Amy Winehouse biopics.
