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Exploring the latest box office hits in China: A deep dive into “Successor” and more
A surprising leader: “Successor” takes the top spot
In a surprising turn of events, the Chinese-produced comedy-drama “Successor” has taken the mainland China box office by storm, opening at the top over the latest weekend. This film, which delves into the struggles and aspirations of a family striving to escape poverty, earned an impressive RMB358 million ($50.4 million) between Friday and Sunday.
The plot and cast of “Successor”
“Successor” tells the poignant story of Ma Chenggang and Ma Chunlan, a couple who ride their donkey to work and see their son, Ma Jiye, as their only hope for a better future. Jiye is a promising student, excelling academically every year, but as he grows up, he begins to notice the peculiar changes in the people around him. The film is co-directed by Yan Fei and Peng Damo, known for their work on “Hello, Mr Billionaire” and “Goodbye, Mr Loser.” The main cast includes Shen Teng, Ma Li, Shi Pengyuan, Sa Rina, and Xiao Bochen.
For those interested in a sneak peek, you can watch the trailer and find more information about “Successor” here.
The competition: “A Place Called Silence” and ”Despicable Me 4″
“A Place Called Silence”
Last week’s top film, “A Place Called Silence,” slipped to second place but still managed to earn $32.0 million, bringing its cumulative total to $121 million since its release on July 3. This film has captivated audiences with its unique storyline and compelling performances. For more details and to watch the trailer, click here.
“Despicable Me 4”
Despite being a highly anticipated release, “Despicable Me 4” landed in third position, earning $17.7 million in three days. This is a significant drop compared to its predecessor, “Despicable Me 3,” which opened with $64 million in 2017. Maoyan forecasts that the new film will achieve a lifetime gross of RMB370 million ($51 million), putting it on par with other Hollywood hits like “Kung Fu Panda 4” and “Dune.” For a glimpse into the latest adventures of Gru and the Minions, check out the trailer here.
Other notable mentions: ”A Legend” and ”Inside Out 2″
“A Legend”
Bona Film’s “A Legend” officially opened on July 10 and earned $2.8 million over the weekend, with a total of $9.8 million including previews and early screenings. This film has been generating buzz for its intriguing plot and stellar performances. To learn more and watch the trailer, click here.
“Inside Out 2”
Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” took $2.3 million as it slipped from second place to fifth. Since its release on June 21 in China, it has accumulated $43.1 million. This sequel continues to explore the emotional landscape of its characters, resonating with audiences of all ages. For more information and to watch the trailer, click here.
The bigger picture: China’s box office performance
The strength of these front-runners lifted the overall weekend box office in China to $111 million. However, the running total in China now stands at $3.61 billion, which is 14% behind the year-to-date score at the same point in 2023. It also lags behind Comscore’s $4.11 billion estimate of the current North American total in 2024.
Reflecting on the trends
The recent box office performance in China highlights a diverse range of films capturing the audience’s interest, from heartfelt dramas like “Successor” to animated sequels like “Despicable Me 4” and “Inside Out 2.” This variety indicates a healthy appetite for different genres and storytelling styles among Chinese moviegoers. As we look forward to the upcoming releases, it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve and what new stories will capture the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide.
