Song Sung Blue is proving to be the heartfelt surprise of the holiday movie season. While it might not be shattering box office records like a massive superhero spectacle, it is doing something much more impressive: it is truly connecting with the people sitting in the theater seats. This mid-budget musical biopic is shaping up to be a classic word-of-mouth hit that finds its strength in emotional resonance rather than just raw ticket sales.

At the box office, the film is holding its own with a steady and healthy performance. Opening day numbers in North America landed in the mid-single digits in millions, with the full opening weekend tracking in the high single to low-teens millions. For a musical aimed at families and adults during the busy Christmas corridor, these are solid numbers. With early global totals reaching into the low double-digit millions, the film is performing exactly as a prestige musical should—showing steady attendance and a long shelf life rather than a massive, one-weekend spike.

The critical reception places the film in a “good, not great” category that still leans heavily toward the positive. On Rotten Tomatoes, Song Sung Blue is officially “Certified Fresh” with a score in the mid-70s. Critics seem to agree that while the story might follow some familiar beats, the performances and the music are top-tier. Over on Metacritic, the score sits around 62, indicating “generally favorable” reviews. The consensus is that the film is well-made and enjoyable, even if it doesn’t reinvent the wheel.

However, the real story is the massive enthusiasm coming from general moviegoers. The gap between what critics think and what audiences feel is significant. On Rotten Tomatoes, the verified audience score is a staggering 98%, even earning a “Verified Hot” badge. On IMDb, the film maintains a very strong 7.4 rating. Fans are raving about the chemistry between Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, the uplifting musical numbers, and the overall emotional payoff of the story. It seems that while critics are looking at the technical craft, audiences are simply falling in love with how the movie makes them feel.

If you are looking for a movie to see this week, the takeaway is simple. Song Sung Blue is a crowd-pleasing, comforting, and emotional experience that is perfect for a holiday outing. If you enjoy musical dramas and want a film that leaves you in a great mood, the numbers and the reviews suggest this is a very safe bet for your next trip to the cinema.