How Will Smith shocked theater fans after secretly joining them to watch Bad Boys: Ride or Die

A movie theater came to life when Will Smith emerged after the credits had rolled for the Bad Boys: Ride or Die film, having slipped into the cinema.

A video shared by a user whose TikTok bio describes him as the movie theater’s general manager showed how the audience had begun to exit the theater at Cinemark Baldwin Hills Crenshaw before the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor strolled out and announced himself.

The 55-year-old actor, dressed discreetly in all-black, interrupted, “Hey, I’m glad y’all enjoyed that,” as heads turned and people started to gasp in shock.

Smith was instantly encircled by the enthusiastic fans, and he started interacting with them by shaking hands, giving hugs, and, taking pictures.

The manager who captured the video wrote in the caption, “Surprise when you walk out of Bad Boys Movie and Will Smith Walks out with you after having watched the movie with you!! Only at CINEMARK!”

Smith also shared the moment on his Instagram page with the caption, “I snuck into @badboys in Baldwin Hills last night. It was SPECTABULOUS! Where should I go next?”

Smith and Martin Lawrence released their newest film in the Bad Boys franchise, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” on June 7. The release of the fourth installment comes two years after Smith made headlines in 2022 for slapping Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars, stirring controversy.

For Smith, the movie has been seen as his comeback, serving as a test to gauge his ability to attract audiences post-controversy. Prior to the release, an industry insider told People that the Bad Boys franchise was a safe bet for Smith’s resurgence, showcasing his talent and financial success. The insider emphasized that one mistake does not diminish Smith’s ambitious career trajectory.

Indeed, the movie has generated impressive box office numbers given its $100 million production budget. According to Variety, it has grossed $104.6 million globally, including $48.6 million internationally. Its predecessor, “Bad Boys for Life,” earned $62.5 million in its 2020 debut and $204 million domestically.