With Venom still coursing through China, December is now heating up as a busy time at the Middle Kingdom box office — but, contrary to tradition, not necessarily for local films. Sony has just confirmed that sleeper hit Searching has secured a December 14 release, while anticipated animated family action adventure Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse will go on December 21.
Part of whats seen as a push to keep turnstiles spinning in the face of a lackluster crop of homegrown titles, the above movies notably join Warner Bros Aquaman which releases December 7 — two weeks ahead of domestic and one week before the start of overseas rollout — and Universal/Illuminations The Grinch (December 14). They will follow the upcoming releases of Disneys Ralph Breaks The Internet (November 23) and WBs Crazy Rich Asians (November 30).
Its not unusual for China to pack Hollywood movies into the late fall ahead of a traditional December blackout, but this year word is that the year-end is looking light on local. Thats good news for studios as imported films over the first three quarters of 2018 had 34% of the market with $2.3B, repping a first-of-its-kind year-on-year drop, per research firm Artisan Gateway.
The total China box office through the first nine months is a reported $6.7B and Middle Kingdom film authorities are understood to be hoping for RMB 60B ($8.65B) by the end of the year. In local currency, that would be a new record after last years RMB 56B. (While China grosses in the first quarter of 2018 were bigger than North America, domestic hit $10B faster than ever earlier this month, meaning theres still time before the Middle Kingdom overtakes the No. 1 worldwide market position.)
Looking at whats on deck in December, I hear a shift is occurring with local blockbuster hopefuls opting for the Chinese New Year period in February and the summer frame. If China wants to hit that RMB 60B number, its looking for a hand from Hollywood. Nevertheless, local pics could maintain a 60% grip on 2018 overall.
We saw an easing of the December session last year as Disney/Pixars Coco received an extension to play throughout the month, while Paddington 2, Darkest Hour and Only The Brave opened in early December. The titles added for this December have bigger prospects. Warner Bros just did a push for Aquaman in Beijing, flying in talent and showing off 25 minutes of footage. Sonys Searching has already done solid business in South East Asia, including a terrific $22.6M in Korea. It will face off with The Grinch which is on a staggered release pattern and could benefit from the increasing popularity of Illuminations brand.
Sonys Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse could have a swingin trajectory. The market loves the character with each of the live-action Spidey titles having released in China going back to 2002, and all sequels growing apace. It was the biggest hub for the last three films.
Last years local December offerings included Feng Xiaogangs Youth, Chen Kaiges Legend Of The Demon Cat, Jackie Chan-starrer Bleeding Steel and Yuen Woo-pings The Thousand Faces Of Dunjia.
All release dates are not 100% firmed for next months crop, though we hear The Human Comedy has a shot at December 7; it stars Allen Ai (aka Lun Ai) who was in hits Hello Mrs Money and Hello Mr Billionaire. Another anticipated pic is Master Z: Ip Man Legacy from Yuen Woo-ping and starring Max Zhang, Liu Yan, Michelle Yeoh, Dave Bautista and Tony Jaa. It has a December 21 date as does White Snake, a China-U.S. co-production from Warner Bros. On December 31, Bi Gans Un Certain Regard mystery Long Days Journey Into Night releases.
Well be keeping tabs on all of the above throughout December.
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