Oscar-winning Japanese animation film The Boy and the Heron has made a significant impact at the mainland China box office, earning a remarkable $34.9 million over the weekend and a total of $73 million during its five-day opening run. The film, produced by Studio Ghibli, had already seen success in its native Japan before its release in China, where it quickly captured the attention of audiences.
Unlike most films that debut on Fridays in China, The Boy and the Heron was strategically released on a Wednesday to coincide with the Qingming public holiday, allowing it to capitalize on the extended weekend. Data from consultancy firm Artisan reveals that the film grossed RMB248 million ($34.9 million) over the traditional Friday-to-Sunday period, with an additional RMB270 million ($38.1 million) from Wednesday and Thursday showings, marking the biggest opening of the year for a non-mainland Chinese movie.
Despite a slight decline in ticket sales on Sunday, which was a regular workday following the holiday, the film's overall performance in China has made it the top-grossing market for The Boy and the Heron. Prior to its success in China, the film had already garnered impressive earnings in other territories, including $60.7 million in Japan, $46 million in North America, $14.8 million in South Korea, and $12.3 million in France.
In comparison, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, which premiered a week earlier, secured a $21.9 million second weekend in China, accumulating a total of $93.5 million after ten days in theaters. This marks the highest box office performance for a Hollywood film in China since May of the previous year.
Additionally, Kung Fu Panda 4 saw a weaker reception, earning $4.7 million in its third weekend and a cumulative total of $42.7 million in China. Dwelling by the West Lake, a Chinese crime drama, debuted in fourth place with $4.3 million in earnings and a total of $8.5 million after five days. Another Chinese crime film, The Victims, brought in $3.9 million over the weekend and a five-day cumulative total of $7.9 million.
Overall, the Chinese box office generated a total of $78.3 million, contributing to a year-to-date total of $2.49 billion, marking a 6% increase compared to the previous year and solidifying China's position as the leading theatrical market in 2024.
