Beyoncé’s concert film “Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé” stormed the box office this weekend, generating $21 million in ticket sales in North America alone.
READ MORE: Beyoncé – “Renaissance” review: a celebration of love and black joy
Written, directed and produced by the 42-year-old singer herself, the film focuses on the tour supporting her Grammy-winning album “Renaissance.”
The film premiered in 2,539 theaters in the United States and Canada and 94 additional territories worldwide and features guest appearances from Diana Ross, Kendrick Lamar and Megan Thee Stallion.
However, the opening didn’t quite achieve the enormous success of the release of Beyoncé’s colleague and friend Taylor Swift’s concert film tour, which began in October.
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour grossed an incredible $92.8 million in its opening weekend. The film is soon in theaters after grossing $250 million worldwide, but Swifties will be relieved to know that the film is available on streaming services.
Like Swift, Knowles chose to partner with AMC Theaters for distribution, and according to The Guardian, both artists are set to receive more than 50 percent of ticket sales.
Elizabeth Frank, executive vice president of worldwide programming at AMC Theaters, said in a statement: “On behalf of AMC Theaters Distribution and the entire theater industry, we thank Beyoncé for bringing this incredible film directly to her fans.”
She continued: “To see it resonate with fans and film critics on a weekend that many in the industry typically neglect is a testament to her immense talent, not only as a performer, but also as a producer and director.”
Swift, who attended the UK premiere in Leicester Square last week alongside actor Blake Lively, posted photos of herself and Knowles on her Instagram. She wrote: “Was invited to London by the Queen… Renaissance: A Beyoncé film is in cinemas now!!”
Lively also spoke out on social media, posting pictures from the event with a supportive caption that ended with “Renaissance: A Beyoncé Movie.” Now in theaters… And even better than you can imagine.”
The film, which received great praise in early reviews, is scheduled to be shown in cinemas until December 10th.