Zendaya’s new film “Challengers” led the box office this weekend, pulling in an impressive $15 million in its debut. The R-rated tennis drama, directed by Luca Guadagnino, played across 3,477 theaters in the U.S. and Canada. Its unique blend of romance and sport delves into the personal and professional dilemmas its characters face, marking a notable solo achievement for Zendaya.
Despite a generally slow weekend for theaters, “Challengers” outperformed all other releases, setting the stage for what may become Guadagnino’s highest-grossing film in the U.S. The movie also stars Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor and has garnered attention for its compelling plot and Zendaya’s significant drawing power.
The film attracted a diverse crowd, with a particularly strong showing among young female moviegoers, representing 58% of the audience on its opening day. It also enjoyed a positive critical reception, earning an 88% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a B grade on CinemaScore, reflecting the audience’s solid endorsement.
At just 27, Zendaya has already made her mark in significant franchises like “Spider-Man” and “Dune,” but “Challengers” represents a key moment as she headlines a box-office hit solo. This opening highlights her star appeal and ability to anchor a film that prioritizes storytelling over blockbuster spectacle.
As “Challengers” continues to perform well domestically and internationally, it is expected to surpass the earnings of Guadagnino’s previous works, including the acclaimed “Call Me By Your Name.” The film’s success also highlights the effective strategy of MGM and Amazon Studios, who chose a wide release to ensure the movie reached the largest audience possible.
With her ongoing appeal and fashion-forward promotional appearances, Zendaya is solidifying her status as a formidable force in Hollywood. “Challengers” adds a dynamic entry to her growing resume and cements her position as a versatile and influential leading lady in the industry.
Unexpected Kiss Scene Sparks Debate in ‘Challengers’
Adding to the buzz, a new controversy has emerged around “Challengers” due to a daring scene that was added impromptu during rehearsals. This scene, a three-way kiss between Zendaya, Mike Faist, and Josh O’Connor, was outside the original screenplay.
In Challengers, new in theaters Friday, Zendaya plays Tashi Duncan, a tennis star on the rise who becomes the object of affection of a pair of fellow tennis standouts. Not long after Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor) and Art Donaldson (Mike Faist) befriend Tashi, the three engage in a long and passionate three-way kiss in the motel room.
She knows that the steamy three-way kiss in Challengers will create a buzz among moviegoers. Zendaya said that what audiences see in the film and what transpires on set are completely different things.
“I think with those scenes in general, they’re all very technical and are put together [in a way] more than people understand,” Zendaya explained to Yahoo! “Often — we joked about it before — but while people see the three of us, our view is like, ‘Camera, boom [microphone]’ … There’s a whole group of us. We’re all in that room doing it together.”
Ultimately, the Euphoria star added, she needs to be aware of what’s going on from a filmmaking standpoint as much as the story she and her co-stars are telling. In the end, she likened the experience to dancing.
Director Luca Guadagnino explained that this scene was integrated later to enhance the complex dynamics of the film’s central love triangle. This bold move has sparked debates over creative boundaries in filmmaking and has become a focal point for discussions, further fueling interest and debate among both fans and critics.
