With the recent release of “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” the franchise created by Michael Bay in his feature directorial debut is trending once again. This is evident from the surge in viewership that the original “Bad Boys” has been experiencing in recent days, making it the most-watched movie on Apple TV+ in the United States.
Like any legendary buddy cop action picture, “Bad Boys” didn’t fare well with critics but was a box office hit, earning $141.4 million on a budget of $19 million. Interestingly, this revenue matches the budget of the latest installment.
Originally intended for Eddie Murphy and Wesley Snipes, the iconic roles of Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett ultimately went to Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, respectively. Without their performances, it’s hard to imagine the film series achieving the success it has enjoyed.
‘Bad Boys’ occupies the Top 1 on Apple TV+ in the United States
Whenever Will Smith returns to one of his beloved works, all its installments trend again. That’s the case for “Bad Boys,” which is now ranking #1 on Apple TV+ in the United States, despite being released in 1995.
On the streamer, it achieved a remarkable feat: dethroning “Argylle” from the first spot, a position that the film had secured almost continuously since April 12. Additionally, it has pushed “Dune” to the third spot, despite the ongoing excitement for Denis Villeneuve‘s creation.
In “Bad Boys,” a heroin stash valued at around $100 million is stolen from the Miami police’s own vault. The case is assigned to detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett, a duo known for their unconventional methods.
The ensemble cast features standout performances from Téa Leoni, Tchéky Karyo, Joe Pantoliano, Theresa Randle, Marg Helgenberger, and more.
Although both Smith and Martin Lawrence have proven their excellent acting skills since the start of their careers, this movie showcases the best of their talent. Michael Bay, who didn’t enjoy working with the script, allowed the duo to improvise many scenes, some of which remain the most memorable to this day.