Shotgun Wedding: Box Office Success Or Failure?

The term shotgun wedding refers to a wedding that one or both partners are forced into, usually because the woman is pregnant. The phrase originates from the American-English language and involves instances where men were coerced at gunpoint into marriage. While the true origins of shotgun weddings are not clear, it is believed that they were much more common in the past, especially in the 1950s. Today, the concept is less popular due to changing social norms and the illegality of forcing a marriage under gunpoint. The 2022 film Shotgun Wedding starring Jennifer Lopez might have made some money by capitalizing on the intrigue and controversy surrounding this outdated practice.

Did the 2022 film 'Shotgun Wedding' make money?

The 2022 romantic action-comedy film "Shotgun Wedding" did make money, but not through the traditional means of theatrical releases. The film, starring Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel, was originally planned for a theatrical release by Lionsgate on 29 June 2022. However, Amazon Studios acquired the rights and released it on their streaming platform, Prime Video, on 26 January 2023.

According to Nielsen Media Research, Amazon Prime Video saw the largest monthly usage increase in January, with a 9.3% uptick in viewing driven by its original series, Jack Ryan, and Shotgun Wedding. While the film's performance on Prime Video contributed to this increase in viewership, specific revenue figures for the film have not been disclosed by Amazon Studios.

Internationally, "Shotgun Wedding" did have a theatrical release and grossed $8.3 million at the box office. The film was released in Singapore on 28 December 2022 and later in other international markets.

The film received mixed reviews from critics, with a 44% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 46 out of 100 on Metacritic, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.

How much money did the film 'Shotgun Wedding' make?

The 2022 American romantic action-comedy film "Shotgun Wedding" made $8.3 million at the box office. The film, starring Jennifer Lopez and Josh Duhamel, was released in January 2023 by Amazon Studios via Prime Video. It was originally scheduled for a theatrical release by Lionsgate in June 2022 but was acquired by Amazon Studios for streaming.

"Shotgun Wedding" follows the story of Darcy Rivera and Tom Fowler, who, along with their families, gather for a destination wedding on a private island in the Philippines. However, their wedding plans are interrupted when their guests are taken hostage by pirates demanding a ransom from Darcy's wealthy father. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with a 44% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metacritic score of 46 out of 100. Despite the reviews, the release of "Shotgun Wedding" contributed to a 9.3% increase in monthly usage for Amazon Prime Video, driven by its original content.

What is a 'shotgun wedding'?

The term "shotgun wedding" refers to a wedding arranged due to pregnancy before marriage. The phrase is derived from the figurative notion that the pregnant bride's relatives threaten the reluctant groom with a shotgun to ensure he marries the woman.

In the past, having a child out of wedlock was frowned upon, and unmarried mothers often lacked resources and support. Shotgun weddings were seen as a way to restore the honour of the mother and ensure the child was raised by both parents. While the practice is less common today due to changing social norms, it still occurs for various reasons, such as religious beliefs or financial considerations.

The phrase "shotgun wedding" has different connotations in various cultures. In the United States and Canada, for example, the use of duress or violent coercion in weddings is no longer common. In Arabic culture, shotgun weddings are not recognised as a regular social phenomenon, and guests at a successful shotgun wedding are usually unaware of the true reason for the rushed nuptials. In Japan, the term "Dekichatta kekkon" or "oops-we-did-it-marriage" refers to a similar concept, and in China, the term "Fèngzǐchénghūn" means "married by the order of the child".

The 2022 film "Shotgun Wedding" is an American romantic action comedy that plays on the theme of a rushed wedding. In the film, the main characters, Tom and Darcy, find themselves in a situation where their wedding is interrupted by pirates who take their guests hostage. While the film's plot does not centre on a pregnancy, it captures the urgency and high-stakes nature often associated with the phrase "shotgun wedding".

Where does the term 'shotgun wedding' come from?

The term "shotgun wedding" refers to a wedding that is arranged due to pregnancy resulting from premarital sex. The phrase evokes a stereotypical scenario where the father of the pregnant bride-to-be threatens the reluctant groom with a shotgun to ensure that he agrees to the wedding. This idiom originated in the second half of the 19th century and was occasionally used in court cases as early as the 1870s.

The purpose of such a wedding could be twofold: to gain financial support from the father of the child and to restore the honour of the mother-to-be, especially in societies where premarital sexual relations are taboo and pregnancy out of wedlock carries a significant stigma. In some cases, the wedding might also be arranged early enough in the pregnancy to conceal the fact that conception occurred prior to the marriage.

In addition to its literal meaning, the term "shotgun wedding" can also be used figuratively to describe a quick or forced union, whether between people or businesses. While the literal use of the term has become less common due to changing social norms and the decline of the stigma associated with out-of-wedlock births, the figurative use of the phrase persists in popular culture.

Are 'shotgun weddings' still common?

The term "shotgun wedding" refers to a wedding arranged in response to pregnancy before marriage. The phrase is derived from the figurative notion that the pregnant bride's relatives threaten the reluctant male groom with a shotgun to ensure he marries the woman.

While the phrase "shotgun wedding" is considered outdated and judgmental by some, the occurrence of such weddings is not uncommon. In the United States, nearly 1.5 million live births were reported to unmarried women in 2020, accounting for roughly 41% of all births that year. However, the social stigma surrounding unmarried mothers has diminished, and women often choose to have children without marrying the father.

In the past, shotgun weddings were more prevalent due to the societal frown upon having children outside of marriage. Today, however, the practice is less common, especially in the Western world. In the 1960s, about 60% of unmarried pregnant women in the United States would marry before the birth of their child, compared to only around 5% in the 2000s. This shift can be attributed to various factors, including the sexual revolution of the 1960s, which separated the concepts of love, sexuality, procreation, and marriage in social consciousness.

While the term "shotgun wedding" may be less commonly used, the occurrence of pregnancies before marriage is still prevalent. Couples may choose to get married during pregnancy or after the birth of their child for various reasons, such as financial stability, religious beliefs, or the desire for the child to grow up with two parents. However, the decision to marry is often made without external pressure or coercion.

In conclusion, while the phrase "shotgun wedding" may carry negative connotations and is not as commonly used as it once was, the occurrence of pregnancies before marriage and subsequent marriages is still prevalent in society today.

Frequently asked questions