Bob Dylan Biopic 'A Complete Unknown' Scores Strong $23M Opening Week Box Office
Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown has earned $23.17 million at the domestic box office since its Christmas Day release, including $11.6 million in its first weekend. The 141-minute film, starring Timothée Chalamet, is scheduled for IMAX release on January 3rd.
Bob Dylan performing on stage
The film's strong performance is expected to boost Dylan's streaming numbers and physical sales. This follows the September release of Dylan's comprehensive 27-CD set featuring over 400 tracks. The movie's younger cast, including Chalamet (29) and Elle Fanning (26), may help attract new audiences to Dylan's music, similar to how Fleetwood Mac recently gained younger followers.
Dylan, who sold his recordings to Sony Music in 2022 and his compositions to Universal Music Publishing Group in 2020, has publicly endorsed the film. He specifically recommended fans read Elijah Wald's "Dylan Goes Electric!" - the book that inspired the movie. The book has since become a bestseller in Amazon's Rock Music and Folk & Traditional Music categories.
The biopic's success could pave the way for more music legacy films, though documentaries remain popular in the industry. Recent examples include Disney+'s "The Beach Boys" (May 2023) and "Beatles '64," with a Led Zeppelin documentary scheduled for February release.
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