Stan and Ollie box office: How much has Stan and Ollie made at the box office?

Stan & Ollie has been receiving critical praise and fan fervour alike. The based-on-a-true-story film about entertainers Laurel and Hardy currently has a 93 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The critics’ consensus reads: “Stan & Ollie pays tribute to a pair of beloved entertainers with an affectionate look behind the scenes — and a moving look at the burdens and blessings of a creative bond.”

How much has Stan & Ollie made at the box office?

Stan & Ollie has debuted to an opening weekend sum of £2.42 million.

Including preview takings, the box office total rises to £2.58, putting itself at the top of profit predictions.

The comedy film took over from Mary Poppins Returns at the top of the UK box office.

Stan & Ollie also narrowly outpaced The Favourite for its spot at the top of the box office.

The Favorite made £2.2m for its debut weekend, taking £3.97m including generous previews.

The film had a budget of around £7.8 million, which it may recoupe within its upcoming cinematic run.

The Guardian added: “The biographical comedy should also play well midweek, connecting to older audiences that have a pattern of cinemagoing on weekdays and in daytime.”

At last week’s British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards, Stan & Ollie was nominated for three awards.

The plot of Stan & Ollie reads: “Laurel & Hardy, one of the world’s great comedy teams, set out on a variety hall tour of Britain in 1953.

“Diminished by age and with their golden era as the kings of Hollywood comedy now behind them, they face an uncertain future.

“As the charm and beauty of their performances shines through, they re-connect with their adoring fans.

“The tour becomes a hit, but Stan & Ollie can’t quite shake the spectre of Laurel and Hardy’s past; the long-buried ghosts, coupled with Oliver’s failing health, start to threaten their precious partnership.

“A portrait of the most tender and poignant of creative marriages, they are aware that they may be approaching their swan song, trying to rediscover just how much they mean to each other.

“Despite the pressures of a hectic schedule, and with the support of their wives Lucille and Ida – a formidable double act in their own right – the pair’s love of performing, as well as for each other, endures as they secure their place in the hearts of their adoring public.”

Stan & Ollie premiered at the BFI film festival in London on October 21, 2018.

During January and February, the Jon Baird directed film will roll out across Europe.

One of the biggest challenges of filming was John C Reilly requiring four hours in the make-up chair each day.

In an interview with Variety, Baird discussed the hardest part of the production.

He said: “We knew makeup would be a huge factor. With a small, independent film, you have to use your resources wisely.

“And we wanted Mark Coulier because he’s one of the best in the business. “The input of Mark and those others elevated the movie.”

Stan & Ollie is now playing in cinemas.