'RBG': How Ruth Bader Ginsburg Became a Summer Box Office Avenger

'RBG': How Ruth Bader Ginsburg Became a Summer Box Office Avenger

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RBG still from film

Variety

By Rebecca Rubin

May 14, 2018

 

While “Avengers: Infinity War” has dominated the box office in recent weeks, a new documentary about a different kind of hero has still managed to draw crowds.

“RBG,” a look at the life and career of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (the glass-ceiling-shattering jurist who became a meme), secured the 10th slot at the domestic box office this weekend with $1.16 million. That’s a major feat considering that the non-fiction film, directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen, was showing in just 180 screens. Magnolia Pictures and Participant Media’s collaboration launched in limited release on May 4 with $560,000 in 34 locations for an impressive per screen average of $16,471.“It’s a gutsy move on paper,” box office analyst at comScore Paul Dergarbedian said of “RBG’s” summer release. In comparison, Magnolia’s highest-grossing documentary to date, “I am Not Your Negro” ($7 million), bowed in February during the height of awards season. Read more