Hollywood stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence launched the Bad Boys: Ride or Die world premiere in Dubai on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, bringing their iconic franchise to the Middle East for the first time — and making history in the process.
Coca-Cola Arena Hosts the Global Premiere
The duo touched down in Dubai for the global premiere of their fourth Bad Boys installment, held at the Coca-Cola Arena. The event drew worldwide influencers alongside the film's Moroccan-Belgian directing duo, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah. The atmosphere was electric, with the film's trademark blend of humor and high-octane action on full display.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die is set to open in UAE theaters on June 6, continuing the adventures of Miami detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett.
Smith and Lawrence on Returning to the Middle East
Speaking at a sea-front hotel in Dubai, Smith was candid about his enthusiasm for the region. "Bad Boys are in the Middle East, and it seems like the perfect place for our fifth film in the Bad Boys series," he said.
The star was equally effusive about the reception. "Having the world premiere of Bad Boys in Dubai and Riyadh is huge for us. We are privileged and thrilled to be here. The kind reception is overwhelming," Smith added.
Lawrence, reflecting on his long-running partnership with Smith, said: "Just to be partners with this man, just to see him grow for so many years — it's such a pleasure for me. I couldn't have a better partner."
First Hollywood Premiere in Riyadh
After Dubai, the cast traveled to Riyadh for a premiere at Roshn Front's VOX Cinema — marking the first Hollywood film premiere ever held in Saudi Arabia. The historic Riyadh screening underscored how rapidly the Kingdom's film industry has grown since cinemas re-opened in 2018.
Smith framed the dual-city tour as a milestone: "Starring in Dubai and Riyadh for the Bad Boys global launch in the Middle East is huge for us."
The Fourth Chapter of a Franchise Built on Friendship
Directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah — who also helmed Bad Boys for Life (2020) — Bad Boys: Ride or Die stays loyal to the formula that has kept the franchise popular since its 1995 debut.
Smith explained what the team focused on most during production: "I specifically wanted to make sure that their friendship — Mike and Marcus — was captured. It's exactly as the song 'Ride or Die' says. It's about friendship and partnership."
The film went on to gross $405 million worldwide against a $100 million production budget, and became the highest-grossing Hollywood film in Saudi Arabia's box office history, surpassing Tom Cruise's Top Gun: Maverick.
