Taylor Swift is once again breaking records. Her concert-style film, “Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl,” premiered alongside her 12th studio album this weekend, turning movie theaters into pop-filled celebrations.
Early estimates show the film earned $33 million at the domestic box office.
Download the SAN app today to stay up-to-date with Unbiased. Straight Facts™.
Point phone camera here
A full weekend of Swift celebrations
The weekend release became a full-blown fan event. From listening parties to midnight Target openings for those chasing exclusive vinyl editions, Swift’s latest project drew crowds nationwide.
According to AMC Theatres, it’s also the first album-debut film to open at No. 1 at the domestic box office — another milestone in the singer’s already record-setting career.
“On behalf of AMC Theatres and the entire theatrical exhibition industry, I extend our sincerest appreciation to the iconic Taylor Swift for bringing her brilliance and magic to movie theatres this weekend,” AMC CEO Adam Aron told CNN.
“This is the record I’ve been wanting to make for a very long time,” Swift said in August, previewing what she called one of her most personal creative projects yet.
Critics call it her weakest era
Not everyone is on board with “The Life of a Showgirl.” While some fans praised its theatrical edge and more mature lyrics, others say it doesn’t have the staying power of her previous work.
Major outlets have weighed in with mixed reactions. Pitchfork, known for in-depth album analyses, rated the album 5.9 out of 10, Swift’s lowest score to date. The reviewer, a self-proclaimed Swiftie, writes: “A dozen albums in, Taylor Swift’s never been bigger — and her music’s never been less compelling.”
Still, she’s far from losing her momentum. Her film outperformed Dwayne Johnson’s “The Smashing Machine,” which debuted in third place with $6 million, reportedly his weakest box office opening yet.
Sales stay strong as followers dip
If critics are lukewarm, Swift’s sales are anything but. Billboard reports that 2.7 million copies of “The Life of a Showgirl” were sold in the U.S. on its first day, making it the second-largest sales week for an album in modern times.
On social media, though, some fans noticed a small drop. Data from Social Blade shows Swift lost more than 18,000 Instagram followers after the release — a tiny dent in her 235 million total, but still something fans were quick to point out.
Swift’s newest era may not have universal praise. But between record sales, a No. 1 box office debut, and theaters full of fans singing along, “The Life of a Showgirl” still reaffirms her influence as one of the most powerful figures in pop music.
