Gran Turismo has truly revved up the excitement at the box office this weekend, smashing through a spectacular milestone despite a bit of a slow start!

Despite initially hitting the brakes, Gran Turismo has surged ahead, crossing an exhilarating box office milestone almost a month into its cinematic journey. The movie made its grand debut in theaters on August 25th, following a slight delay due to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Based on a remarkable true story, it zooms in on the incredible journey of Jann Mardenborough, played by the talented Archie Madekwe, a teenager whose incredible skills in the Gran Turismo racing simulator earn him a ticket to the GT Academy and the opportunity to become a real racecar driver. While critics had a mixed opinion about Gran Turismo initially, it has truly found its stride at the box office.

According to the folks at Collider, Gran Turismo has notched up a mind-blowing $100 million in worldwide box office earnings, hitting the $102 million mark. This achievement is nothing short of astounding, considering the movie’s cautious start. Its opening weekend saw it race to $17.4 million, with $5.3 million coming from previews. This means that its actual opening earnings were at the lower end of expectations, which had predicted a debut in the range of $12 to $15 million. But, against all odds, Gran Turismo picked up speed over the past few weeks, and now it’s crossed that magical $100 million threshold, proving that it’s more than just a contender.

Gran Turismo’s triumphant journey is even more astonishing given the unpredictable nature of the 2023 box office. We’ve seen some major films stumble, like The Flash and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, while others, like Barbie and Oppenheimer, exceeded expectations. With the box office landscape resembling a rollercoaster ride, and the added challenge of the SAG-AFTRA strike hindering the film’s promotional efforts, Gran Turismo’s performance was a bold gamble that’s paid off big time.

One strategy that might have fueled the movie’s success was Sony’s decision to delay its release. They shifted Gran Turismo’s wide debut from August 11th to the 25th, although sneak previews were available in select theaters beforehand. With the strike hampering Sony’s promotional efforts, it seems the studio aimed to build buzz organically through word of mouth.

While it’s uncertain whether the delay was the driving force behind the film’s performance, there’s no doubt that audience enthusiasm played a pivotal role. Gran Turismo’s slow start and subsequent roaring comeback indicate that post-release hype and positive word of mouth lured audiences into theaters. After all, with its gripping true story and a star-studded cast including David Harbour and Orlando Bloom, there’s been plenty to rev up discussions about the film. Gran Turismo’s achievement also serves as a powerful reminder not to underestimate movies too quickly, as some can shift into high gear and make an impressive comeback if they generate enough excitement.