A quiet weekend at the Chinese box office: A deep dive into the latest trends
A resilient few hold their ground
In a weekend marked by a notable lack of new releases, a handful of films demonstrated their staying power at the mainland China box office. The Chinese crime actioner, Go for Broke (also known as “Chong Sheng”), emerged as the weekend’s top earner, pulling in RMB35.4 million ($5.0 million) from Friday to Sunday. This marks its fourth weekend in theaters, bringing its cumulative earnings to an impressive $53.4 million. For those interested in a taste of the action, you can check out the Go for Broke trailer.
Hollywood’s presence: A mixed bag
Alien Romulus, which had dominated the box office for the previous three weeks, slipped to second place. It garnered $4.5 million over the weekend, making it only the second Hollywood film this year to surpass the $100 million mark in Chinese theaters, following Godzilla x Kong. The Alien Romulus trailer offers a glimpse into why this film has captivated audiences.
Comedy drama from Thailand makes waves
The Thai-produced comedy-drama How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies saw a decline in week-on-week earnings but improved its chart position. The film earned RMB18 million ($2.5 million) to secure third place, compared to $3.3 million and fifth place the previous week. Since its release in China on August 23, it has accumulated RMB105 million ($14.8 million). For a sneak peek, watch the How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies trailer.
Heartwarming drama holds steady
Successor, a heartwarming Chinese drama that topped the box office for five weeks, managed to cling to fourth place in its ninth week of release. It earned RMB17.6 million ($2.4 million), bringing its total earnings to a staggering $464 million since its release on July 16. The Successor trailer is a must-watch for those who appreciate emotionally rich storytelling.
Crime drama continues to draw crowds
The Chinese crime drama Untouchable earned $1.7 million in its third weekend. Directed by Wang Daqing and starring Shen Teng, Zhang Yuqi, and Jack Kao, the film has amassed $23.2 million since its August 23 release. The Untouchable trailer provides a glimpse into this gripping narrative.
A dismal weekend for new releases
The latest weekend’s nationwide box office aggregate was a mere $24.4 million, marking the second-lowest weekend of 2024. While September is traditionally a quiet month as the summer season winds down and distributors hold back major releases for the National Day holidays, the decline is still steep. Artisan Gateway reports that the year-to-date total stands at $4.75 billion, more than 22% below the same point last year. August’s box office was worth $568 million, a 48% year-over-year decrease, yet it was still the third-highest month of 2024. The summer season, calculated from June 1 to August 31, was worth RMB11.6 billion ($1.6 billion), making it the worst summer in a decade, excluding the COVID years of 2020-2022.
The scarcity of new films
The paucity of new releases was glaringly evident. Local sources credit the Thai-Chinese-produced animation Out of the Nest with $250,000, making it the highest-placed new film. For those curious about this new entry, the Out of the Nest trailer offers a first look.
Reflecting on the trends
As a cinema enthusiast, it’s fascinating to observe how certain films manage to maintain their momentum despite a lack of fresh competition. The resilience of Go for Broke and Successor speaks volumes about the quality and appeal of these films. On the other hand, the decline of Alien Romulus and the modest performance of new releases like Out of the Nest highlight the challenges faced by the industry in a post-pandemic world.
For TV series and music lovers, these trends offer a broader context for understanding the entertainment landscape. The success of certain genres and the struggles of others can provide valuable insights into audience preferences and market dynamics. Whether you’re a fan of action-packed crime dramas, heartwarming tales, or innovative comedies, there’s always something new to discover and appreciate in the ever-evolving world of cinema and TV.
the box office numbers are more than just figures; they tell a story of resilience, adaptation, and the enduring power of storytelling. So, grab your popcorn, settle in, and enjoy the ride.