Culatra, Tone, Bino and Rato: The four protagonists of Balas & Bolinhos
The most watched Portuguese film in cinemas in 2024 was the new chapter of the “Balas & Bolinhos” saga, by Luís Ismael, with 248 thousand spectators and a gross revenue of 1.6 million euros – according to data released by the ICA.
“Candies & Dumplings: Just One More Thing” premiered on the August 15th holiday and, in four and a half months, entered the eighth place of the most watched Portuguese films since 2004, just below “Balas & Bolinhos: O Último Chapter”, from 2012, which was seen by 256 thousand spectators and accumulated R$1.3 million in revenue.
Com argument by Luís Ismaelwho is also part of the cast, the film’s synopsis is as follows: “Culatra, Rato and Tone are forced to return to their parents’ house and there they try once again to seize the opportunity of their lives. But everything gets complicated when this meeting turns into a real mess.”
This was the fourth “Balas & Bolinhos” film featuring the protagonists Tone (played by Luís Ismael), Culatra (JD Duarte), Bino (João Pires) e Rato (Jorge Neto).
The first “Balas & Bolinhos came out in 2001; “The Return” took place in 2012; and became a triology in 2012.
But “Just one more thing” was missing – and it arrived, successfully, in 2024.
César Mourão and Miguel Cadilhe complete the podium
“I could have waited for August”from and with Cesar Mourãowas the second most watched Portuguese film in national cinemas in 2024. It reached 102 thousand viewers and 632 thousand euros in revenue.
Closing the podium, the third most watched Portuguese film was “Live and Let Go”of Miguel Cadilhewhich had almost 31 thousand spectators in the rooms.
Afterwards, it was followed “Revolution (Without) Blood”of Rui Pedro Sousawith nearly 21,000 entries, about the dead of April 25th, released in the year in which 50 years of the revolution were completed.
“The Seed of Evil”of Gabriel Abrantescompletes the ‘top 5’ of most watched Portuguese films, with close to 17 thousand viewers.
It follows, sixthly, “Grand Tour”of Michael Gomesseen by less than 12 thousand people, with which the filmmaker achieved an unprecedented feat for Portuguese cinema by winning the best direction award at the Cannes festival.
As Lusa highlights, the most watched Portuguese film since 2004 continues to be the renewed “Patio das Cantigas”of Leonel Vieirin 2015, which registered 608 thousand spectators and reached R$3.1 million in revenue.
