Bob Dylan's 'A Complete Unknown' Scores $23M at Box Office Before IMAX Debut
Bob Dylan biopic "A Complete Unknown" has generated $23.17 million in domestic box office sales since its Christmas Day release, including $11.6 million from its latest weekend showing, according to Box Office Mojo data.
Bob Dylan performing on stage
The 141-minute film, starring Timothée Chalamet and Elle Fanning, is set for IMAX release on January 3rd. Its solid performance amid ongoing box-office recovery suggests potential success across multiple revenue streams.
The biopic's release timing aligns with other Dylan-related products, including a recently launched 27-CD set featuring over 400 tracks. The film's casting of younger actors like Chalamet (29) and Fanning (26) may help attract new audiences to Dylan's music, similar to how other legacy acts have recently gained younger followings.
Dylan, who sold his recordings to Sony Music in 2022 and his composition rights to Universal Music Publishing Group in 2020, has publicly supported the film. He particularly recommended the movie's source material, Elijah Wald's "Dylan Goes Electric!", which has since become Amazon's bestseller in Rock Music and Folk & Traditional Music categories.
The film's success could pave the way for more music biopics, though the industry continues to produce traditional documentaries. Recent examples include Disney+'s "The Beach Boys" (May 2023), "Beatles '64," and an upcoming authorized Led Zeppelin documentary scheduled for February release.
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