It was a given that Bad Boys: Ride or Die would definitely spark interest among theatergoers. However, considering the fate of Hollywood movies at the box office this year, coupled with the tumultuous turn in Will Smith’s career lately, doubts were lingering about whether the fourth installment would live up to the hype of the previous ones. But, it has turned out it has even blown the earlier Bad Boys films out of the water.

Riding high on the success of Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the leads Will Smith and Martin Lawrence have now shared their top three movies that have left a lasting impression on them.

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence recently visited Mexico City to promote Bad Boys: Ride or Die, not like it needs any more promotion after its $100 million opening. During their Mexican media tour, the actors had a chat with Yordi Rosado, where they shed light on their best picks for a movie night. Lawrence picked Robert De Niro’s Raging Bull, Denzel Washington’s Training Day, and Al Pacino’s Scarface. Meanwhile, Will Smith picked the “most educational film” he has ever come across.

Smith mentioned the 1942 romantic drama Casablanca, along with Forrest Gump and Apocalypse Now. The stars also touched on various other topics in the interview, including the brotherhood that the actors have maintained over the years. Martin Lawrence sang praises for his co-star, saying, “I have a lot of love and respect for this man. I love working with him.” While the chemistry between the actors is definitely one of the main contributors to Bad Boys 4’s success, there are other factors at play as well.

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One of them was the insane marketing ploys that helped Bad Boys: Ride or Die thrive even in the dismal moviegoing market.

Bad Boys: Ride or Die’s marketing campaign could have given even the Deadpool franchise a run for its money. Sony’s marketing team did not just release one but multiple thrill-packed trailers to entice audiences. Then came the ultimate marketing move that increased excitement for the film further. In an effort to tailor the campaign toward the Miami audience, the Bad Boys team recruited Jimmy Butler and football icon Lionel Messi.

There was also some behind-the-scenes footage that blew up on the web, including one where Will Smith was seen operating a camera rig strapped to him for an action scene. All this, combined with the trademark charm of the Bad Boys franchise, helped make the fourth installment leap over all expectations of fans and experts alike.

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What do you think about Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s movie recommendations? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!