Buddy comedy starring SZA and Keke Palmer claims top spot with $11.6 million opening
One of Them Days, the buddy comedy starring Keke Palmer and SZA, emerged as the top performer at the North American box office over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, claiming $11.6 million across 2,675 theaters. This strong debut helped the Sony-produced R-rated film narrowly edge out Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King, despite an overall sluggish weekend at the box office. The film is expected to surpass its production costs by the holiday’s end, marking a successful opening.
Set against the backdrop of financial hardship, the film follows two friends and roommates—played by Palmer and SZA—racing against the clock to scrape together rent money before facing eviction. Praised for its humor, relatable storyline, and the dynamic chemistry between the leads, One of Them Days is being hailed as a major achievement, especially since it is the first Black female-led theatrical comedy since 2017’s Girls Trip. The film has garnered critical acclaim, boasting an impressive 96% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
While the box office overall struggled with total weekend grosses expected to fall below $80 million, One of Them Days stood out in an otherwise quiet period. According to Comscore data, this weekend represents one of the weakest MLK holiday weekends since 1997, but the success of One of Them Days in this environment is a testament to its appeal and the growing recognition of SZA’s acting talents. The film also features Katt Williams and Lil Rel, adding to its star-studded cast.
The buzz surrounding the movie comes on the heels of SZA’s recent release of SOS: LANA, the deluxe version of her successful sophomore album. In addition, Keke Palmer has expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with SZA again on future projects. Issa Rae has even described One of Them Days as a full-length version of her hit show Insecure.
Despite this victory for One of Them Days, analysts expect the box office to pick up in February, with highly anticipated releases such as Captain America: Brave New World and Paddington in Peru. The historically blockbuster MLK weekend, known for hits like Bad Boys for Life and American Sniper, may have had a slow start to the year, but signs point to a bounce back in the coming weeks.