Your current location:HOME >business >New monster movie eyes even bigger China haul via holiday boost 正文
TIME:2024-05-21 08:00:58 Source: Internet compilationEdit:business
An IMAX poster for "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire." [Image courtesy of Legendary East]Th
An IMAX poster for "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire." [Image courtesy of Legendary East]
The latest edition of Legendary Pictures' lucrative Monsterverse franchise, "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire," is set to generate even bigger box office revenue in China, with the movie market scheduled to enter the three-day Qingming Festival holiday from Thursday.
Since its release on March 29, the movie has maintained a daily box office lead, grossing 352 million yuan (about 49.61 million U.S. dollars) as of Tuesday morning.
It has become this year's top-earning imported title thus far, overtaking "Dune: Part Two," which has made 336 million yuan since its March 8 debut.
Box office tracker Maoyan has forecast that the total earnings of "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" will surpass 840 million yuan in China.
A sequel to "Godzilla vs. Kong," which premiered in China in the same month back in 2021 and grossed 1.23 billion yuan, "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" sees the mighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla facing a colossal and previously undiscovered threat hidden within the world.
With a story revolving around two iconic movie monsters, originating from Japan and the United States, these Monsterverse films have proved very popular with Chinese audiences.
HOLIDAY LINEUP
The Qingming Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday that falls on the 15th day after the Spring Equinox. While it is a time to enjoy the greenery of springtime and to visit the graves of ancestors, the holiday has also become a busy period for cultural and tourism activities in China, including trips to the cinema.
Leading Maoyan's charts of new releases for the holiday, in terms of anticipation expressed by online users, is "The Boy and the Heron," the Oscar-winning animated fantasy from Hayao Miyazaki.
The Studio Ghibli film, centering on a 12-year-old boy grappling with his mother's death, is set to hit Chinese theaters on Wednesday, a day before Qingming.
Miyazaki's anime masterpiece "Spirited Away" was a smash hit in China, grossing 488 million yuan in 2019. "The Boy and the Heron" boasts a strong 8.0 rating from users on review site Douban, signalling positive buzz.
Domestic crime thrillers "Dwelling by the West Lake" and "The Victims," set for release on Wednesday, are also hotly anticipated by local audiences.
Imported titles
March and April are usually a relatively quiet period for China's box office, with no major holidays like Spring Festival or May Day and fewer local blockbuster releases.
However, a string of well-received imported titles have enlivened the cinemas in recent weeks.
Chinese audiences "will embrace any film, big or small, local or imported, as long as the story connects," says Dong Wenxin, a film industry observer and theater manager. "It's an opportunity-rich market."
Alongside "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" and "Dune: Part Two," foreign films like Palme d'Or winner "Anatomy of a Fall" have found favor among Chinese moviegoers.
China Film Critics Association President Rao Shuguang deems imported films "essential" for driving China's box office. He critiques Hollywood for "leaning too heavily on franchises and lacking creativity," but adds, "Hollywood's adaptability shouldn't be underestimated -- they may burst forth with new creativity."
Rao urged the Chinese film industry to "constantly explore new themes and genres, while fostering positive interactions and building trust with audiences. Only then will we have greater room for growth."
Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands2024-05-21 07:46
Mbappé leads full2024-05-21 07:45
Columbia University student journalists had an up2024-05-21 07:39
US regulators maintain fishing quota for valuable baby eels, even as Canada struggles with poaching2024-05-21 07:38
Sweden beats France, Britain relegated after losing to Norway at hockey worlds2024-05-21 06:55
Chahar and Brar lead Punjab to 72024-05-21 06:38
Biden administration weighing measures to help Palestinians bring family from region2024-05-21 06:27
Twins center fielder Byron Buxton leaves game against White Sox with sore right knee2024-05-21 05:48
Philippines blames China for loss of giant clams in disputed shoal and urges environmental inquiry2024-05-21 05:23
JANE GREEN: The shameful truth about Barbra Streisand's acid2024-05-21 05:19
Inquiry slams UK authorities for failures that killed thousands in infected blood scandal2024-05-21 07:49
26 Republican attorneys general sue to block Biden rule requiring background checks at gun shows2024-05-21 07:42
Bernie Williams to raise awareness of lung disease at May 3 event in Puerto Rico2024-05-21 07:13
The White House has a new curator. Donna Hayashi Smith is the first Asian American to hold the post2024-05-21 06:54
Analysis: Larson enters conversation with Verstappen as best drivers in the world2024-05-21 06:42
Russell Wilson and Ciara find a buyer for $25m, 11,000sq ft mansion near Seattle2024-05-21 05:53
CVS Health chops 2024 forecast as cost struggles with Medicare Advantage persist2024-05-21 05:40
Democrats advance election bill in Pennsylvania long sought by counties to process ballots faster2024-05-21 05:29
Four people killed in a house explosion in southwestern Missouri2024-05-21 05:22
Lisa Kudrow, 60, cuts a youthful figure as she films new Netflix show No Good Deed in LA2024-05-21 05:21