Chinese animation film “New Gods: Yang Jian” was the top film at the mainland China box office over the latest weekend. “Minions: The Rise of Gru” opened in third place.
“New Gods: Yang Jian” earned 19.8 million (RMB134 million) on its debut between Friday and Sunday, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway. It places ahead of previous winner “Moon Man” which slipped from first to second place with a 17.8 million (RMB121 million) fourth weekend. “Moon Man” now has a 397 million (RMB2.70 billion) cumulative.
“New Gods: Yang Jian” is a continuation of the “New Gods” franchise from Light Chaser Animation, the studio behind 2021 hit “New Gods: Nezha Reborn” and 2019’s “White Snake.” “Nezha Reborn” earned 67.6 million (RMB456 million).
The new film revolves around Yang Jian, a mythological figure from the Ming Dynasty and who was featured in historical novel “The Investiture of the Gods.” (The same book was also mined by...
“New Gods: Yang Jian” earned 19.8 million (RMB134 million) on its debut between Friday and Sunday, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway. It places ahead of previous winner “Moon Man” which slipped from first to second place with a 17.8 million (RMB121 million) fourth weekend. “Moon Man” now has a 397 million (RMB2.70 billion) cumulative.
“New Gods: Yang Jian” is a continuation of the “New Gods” franchise from Light Chaser Animation, the studio behind 2021 hit “New Gods: Nezha Reborn” and 2019’s “White Snake.” “Nezha Reborn” earned 67.6 million (RMB456 million).
The new film revolves around Yang Jian, a mythological figure from the Ming Dynasty and who was featured in historical novel “The Investiture of the Gods.” (The same book was also mined by...
- 8/22/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Animated movies are always a hit, especially in Asia. Today, we are recommending some of the top-rated Chinese animated films to watch. It was hard to choose but we had to pick our favourites! Check out our list below and let us know which ones have made it to your to-watch list!
The Legend of Deification (aka Jiang Ziya)
The Legend of Deification is the sequel to one of China’s biggest film releases in 2019, Ne Zha. It is also adapted from Fengshen Yanyi, the popular Chinese fold legend that features the mythological figure of Jiang Ziya.
This 3D animation film was expected to be released in the 2019 China Spring Festival, but it got delayed due to the outbreak of Covid-19. The pandemic led to a lot of delays in the film industry. In fact, as movies slowly decreased in production, a lot of movie fans turned to sites for online sports betting found here,...
The Legend of Deification (aka Jiang Ziya)
The Legend of Deification is the sequel to one of China’s biggest film releases in 2019, Ne Zha. It is also adapted from Fengshen Yanyi, the popular Chinese fold legend that features the mythological figure of Jiang Ziya.
This 3D animation film was expected to be released in the 2019 China Spring Festival, but it got delayed due to the outbreak of Covid-19. The pandemic led to a lot of delays in the film industry. In fact, as movies slowly decreased in production, a lot of movie fans turned to sites for online sports betting found here,...
- 1/31/2022
- by Peter Adams
- AsianMoviePulse
“The Falls,” Taiwan’s Oscar contender and a timely drama about the trauma of home quarantine, emerged as the unsurprising winner at the Golden Horse Film Awards in Taipei on Saturday.
And, in a bold decision that has the potential to enrage Mainland Chinese authorities, the prize for best documentary feature was awarded to “Revolution of Our Times.” The film chronicles the brutality of the political crackdown on the streets of Hong Kong in 2019 and 2020.
“The Falls,” which debuted at the Venice Film Festival in September, tells the tale of a mother and daughter cooped up in an apartment during a quarantine. It is directed by Chung Mong-hong, who previously directed “Parking” and “A Sun.”
At the award ceremony “The Falls” earned four prizes, including best narrative feature, best original screenplay, best actress and best original score.
The Golden Horse Film Awards are in their 58th edition and for many...
And, in a bold decision that has the potential to enrage Mainland Chinese authorities, the prize for best documentary feature was awarded to “Revolution of Our Times.” The film chronicles the brutality of the political crackdown on the streets of Hong Kong in 2019 and 2020.
“The Falls,” which debuted at the Venice Film Festival in September, tells the tale of a mother and daughter cooped up in an apartment during a quarantine. It is directed by Chung Mong-hong, who previously directed “Parking” and “A Sun.”
At the award ceremony “The Falls” earned four prizes, including best narrative feature, best original screenplay, best actress and best original score.
The Golden Horse Film Awards are in their 58th edition and for many...
- 11/28/2021
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Just after China’s long National Day holiday on Oct. 10, Chinese social media was plastered in red-and-gold memes and posts celebrating the annual box office to date hitting the $6.26 billion (RMB40 billion) mark. The tone was jubilant, celebrating the market’s triumph over the pandemic on the back of patriotic hit “The Battle at Lake Changjin.”
What wasn’t trumpeted, however, was that the milestone was achieved a full 62 days later than it was in 2019, and a good 66 days later than in 2018. Currently, it’s possible that China’s annual box office may not even hit the RMB55.8 billion ($8.73 billion) mark attained in 2017.
That may come as a surprise to those who have read headlines about the country setting box office records across five different holidays so far this year — New Year’s Day, February’s Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, Tomb Sweeping Festival and the May 1 Labor Day holiday.
What wasn’t trumpeted, however, was that the milestone was achieved a full 62 days later than it was in 2019, and a good 66 days later than in 2018. Currently, it’s possible that China’s annual box office may not even hit the RMB55.8 billion ($8.73 billion) mark attained in 2017.
That may come as a surprise to those who have read headlines about the country setting box office records across five different holidays so far this year — New Year’s Day, February’s Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, Tomb Sweeping Festival and the May 1 Labor Day holiday.
- 11/19/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige addressed Chinese fans’ most pressing concerns about the upcoming “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” in a recent interview.
Feige held an exclusive 14-minute-long interview in English with the well-regarded veteran Chinese film critic Raymond Zhou on the day of the film’s U.S. red carpet premiere (it’s out widely on Sept. 3), which shone a spotlight on China’s biggest gripes so far about the film.
“Shang-Chi” doesn’t yet have a China release date, and it’s unclear whether it has formally passed censorship. Past franchise successes prove that crossing that hurdle into the world’s largest film market will of course be key to the title’s global gross.
One of the last major overseas trips Feige took before Covid-19 shutdowns was to Shanghai in 2019 for an “Avengers: Endgame” promotional event, he told Zhou, calling it “one of...
Feige held an exclusive 14-minute-long interview in English with the well-regarded veteran Chinese film critic Raymond Zhou on the day of the film’s U.S. red carpet premiere (it’s out widely on Sept. 3), which shone a spotlight on China’s biggest gripes so far about the film.
“Shang-Chi” doesn’t yet have a China release date, and it’s unclear whether it has formally passed censorship. Past franchise successes prove that crossing that hurdle into the world’s largest film market will of course be key to the title’s global gross.
One of the last major overseas trips Feige took before Covid-19 shutdowns was to Shanghai in 2019 for an “Avengers: Endgame” promotional event, he told Zhou, calling it “one of...
- 8/18/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Light Chaser Animation production is a sequel to its 2019 hit White Snake, which tapped into a growing trend for youth-oriented animated films.
Light Chaser Animation’s Green Snake, the sequel to its 2019 hit animated feature White Snake, topped the box office in its opening weekend in China, grossing $29.7m in its first three days (July 23-25), according to figures from theatrical consultancy Artisan Gateway.
The film continues the Chinese legend of two snake spirits with magical powers, who are able to take on human form after achieving immortality, and choose to live in the physical world as beautiful women. Tapping...
Light Chaser Animation’s Green Snake, the sequel to its 2019 hit animated feature White Snake, topped the box office in its opening weekend in China, grossing $29.7m in its first three days (July 23-25), according to figures from theatrical consultancy Artisan Gateway.
The film continues the Chinese legend of two snake spirits with magical powers, who are able to take on human form after achieving immortality, and choose to live in the physical world as beautiful women. Tapping...
- 7/26/2021
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
“Green Snake,” the Chinese animated sequel to the folktale adaptation “White Snake,” slithered past propaganda films to the top of the box office this weekend with a $29.7 million debut, according to Maoyan figures.
The platform currently predicts that “Green Snake” will go on to gross $77.5 million, which would make it more successful than its 2019 predecessor’s $61.6 million.
The new sequel brought in $2.6 million from Imax screens in China, which accounted for 9.1% of its total weekend sales. That makes it Imax’s highest indexing local animated title of all time in China, beating the 2019 breakout hit “Ne Zha.”
The film is the latest work from the ever-improving local animation studio Light Chaser, and once again employs a video game-like aesthetic to tell the constantly reprised fable dating back to the Tang dynasty. The tale recounts the story of two snakes who develop super powers after achieving immortality and become able to transform into women.
The platform currently predicts that “Green Snake” will go on to gross $77.5 million, which would make it more successful than its 2019 predecessor’s $61.6 million.
The new sequel brought in $2.6 million from Imax screens in China, which accounted for 9.1% of its total weekend sales. That makes it Imax’s highest indexing local animated title of all time in China, beating the 2019 breakout hit “Ne Zha.”
The film is the latest work from the ever-improving local animation studio Light Chaser, and once again employs a video game-like aesthetic to tell the constantly reprised fable dating back to the Tang dynasty. The tale recounts the story of two snakes who develop super powers after achieving immortality and become able to transform into women.
- 7/25/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Heading into its 60th anniversary, France’s Annecy Festival long ago established itself as one of the world’s most important animation events, but this year it holds the added distinction of being one of the first major international festivals in Europe to return to an at least part in-person format. Attendance will be limited to a maximum of 5,000 attendees Annecy CEO Mickaël Marin explained on Thursday evening, as Annecy announced its 2021 program.
Included in the evening’s announcements were masterclasses, keynote speeches, sneak peeks and its highly anticipated feature film lineups, boasting a strong mix of previous award-winning films and several box office hits, as well as a number of French, European and world premieres. This year’s online offering will look and function much like last years, although Marin is confident that the very few bugs from the first time around will be ironed out this year. Online...
Included in the evening’s announcements were masterclasses, keynote speeches, sneak peeks and its highly anticipated feature film lineups, boasting a strong mix of previous award-winning films and several box office hits, as well as a number of French, European and world premieres. This year’s online offering will look and function much like last years, although Marin is confident that the very few bugs from the first time around will be ironed out this year. Online...
- 5/20/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Most Notorious Chinese Blockbusters Of All Time
Are you a fan of Chinese films? If so, you are probably familiar with the country’s notorious blockbusters. The Chinese film industry reportedly grossed $12.8 billion in 2018, compared to the $60.1 billion reported by the global movie industry. Like the US film industry, the China film industry took a big hit from the Covid-19 pandemic. The country was forced to close around 2,300 land-based cinemas in response to the Covid-19 shutdown. This is not to mention, the country also shut down film production to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Chinese officials have called for the reopening of land-based cinemas across the country. The country’s film market is expected to fully recover, but no one really knows how long it will take. China has some of the world’s highest-grossing movies of all time. Learn more about some of the country’s...
Are you a fan of Chinese films? If so, you are probably familiar with the country’s notorious blockbusters. The Chinese film industry reportedly grossed $12.8 billion in 2018, compared to the $60.1 billion reported by the global movie industry. Like the US film industry, the China film industry took a big hit from the Covid-19 pandemic. The country was forced to close around 2,300 land-based cinemas in response to the Covid-19 shutdown. This is not to mention, the country also shut down film production to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Chinese officials have called for the reopening of land-based cinemas across the country. The country’s film market is expected to fully recover, but no one really knows how long it will take. China has some of the world’s highest-grossing movies of all time. Learn more about some of the country’s...
- 5/14/2021
- by Peter Adams
- AsianMoviePulse
She may not be a household name anywhere other than her native China, but Chinese helmer Jia Ling has officially overtaken Patty Jenkins as the world’s highest-grossing female director for a single film.
After an extended three-month run, Jia’s Chinese New Year blockbuster “Hi, Mom,” finally left Chinese theaters Tuesday. It has grossed $838 million (RMB5.41 billion) since its Feb. 12 debut, according to Maoyan data and using an exchange rate of $1 = RMB6.44)
That sum makes it the 79th highest grossing film in the world of all time, behind Marvel’s “Thor: Ragnarok” ($854 million) and just ahead of Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” ($837 million). It also finished above Patty Jenkin’s 2017 “Wonder Woman,” which earned $823 million. “Hi, Mom” surpassed “Wonder Woman” in early April, 54 days after its release. (Some sources using different rates of exchange may arrive at different totals and rankings.)
Locally, the title has now surpassed the 2019 animation “Ne Zha...
After an extended three-month run, Jia’s Chinese New Year blockbuster “Hi, Mom,” finally left Chinese theaters Tuesday. It has grossed $838 million (RMB5.41 billion) since its Feb. 12 debut, according to Maoyan data and using an exchange rate of $1 = RMB6.44)
That sum makes it the 79th highest grossing film in the world of all time, behind Marvel’s “Thor: Ragnarok” ($854 million) and just ahead of Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” ($837 million). It also finished above Patty Jenkin’s 2017 “Wonder Woman,” which earned $823 million. “Hi, Mom” surpassed “Wonder Woman” in early April, 54 days after its release. (Some sources using different rates of exchange may arrive at different totals and rankings.)
Locally, the title has now surpassed the 2019 animation “Ne Zha...
- 5/14/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Some say he’s a demon. Others say he’s a trickster. Still others say he’s a hero. Ne-zha — a conflicted figure of Ming legend — lives again in Chinese animation, reincarnating into different forms each time. His first debut in Chinese animation came with Shanghai Animation’s exquisitely drawn “Nezha Conquers the Dragon King” (1979). Here, the lotus-born warrior is elegant and self-sacrificial; each valorous feat may be misinterpreted, but is noble to the end. Forty years later, the more recent Chinese blockbuster hit “Ne Zha” (2019) recalls a similarly sympathetic spin. The divine infant regularly terrorizes the citizens of Chentang Pass, but ultimately saves them out of the goodness of his heart. Now, Ji Zhao’s “New Gods: Nezha Reborn” (2021) tells a tale of the god’s rebirth in the early 20th century. Ne-zha the person is no more; instead, Ne-zha the consciousness pervades.
In “New Gods,” Ji Zhao constructs a steampunk,...
In “New Gods,” Ji Zhao constructs a steampunk,...
- 4/18/2021
- by Grace Han
- AsianMoviePulse
Local time travel comedy Hi, Mom is now the third biggest title ever in China with cumulative box office of $742.2m.
Warner Bros’ Tom And Jerry grossed $12.4m on its opening three-day weekend in China (February 26-28), according to figures from theatrical consultancy Artisan Gateway, scraping in at fourth position in the weekend chart.
While the animation/live action hybrid grossed just under its North American debut of $13.7m, the China results are relatively soft considering the market is mostly back up and running following the Covid-19 shutdowns of last year.
One reason is that audiences are still flocking to...
Warner Bros’ Tom And Jerry grossed $12.4m on its opening three-day weekend in China (February 26-28), according to figures from theatrical consultancy Artisan Gateway, scraping in at fourth position in the weekend chart.
While the animation/live action hybrid grossed just under its North American debut of $13.7m, the China results are relatively soft considering the market is mostly back up and running following the Covid-19 shutdowns of last year.
One reason is that audiences are still flocking to...
- 3/1/2021
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Refresh for latest…: Warner Bros’ hybrid live-action/animated feature Tom & Jerry began offshore rollout in mid-February, and this session became the first studio title to hit China in the wake of the Lunar New Year, as well as adding a host of other new markets. The Hanna-Barbera rascals scampered off with a further $19.4M from 33 markets at the international box office in the session, which made for a global $33.1M weekend including domestic‘s strong start. The full frame gives T&j the third-biggest global weekend for a Hollywood movie in the pandemic era (it’s fourth when factoring Croods 2‘s 5-day domestic Thanksgiving launch). The overseas cume is now $25.1M for $38.8M worldwide.
Warners went day-and-date theatrically and on HBOMax domestically with Tom & Jerry. As we’ve seen with other family-friendly titles over the past several months, they tend to be less impacted by offshore...
Warners went day-and-date theatrically and on HBOMax domestically with Tom & Jerry. As we’ve seen with other family-friendly titles over the past several months, they tend to be less impacted by offshore...
- 2/28/2021
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Chinese New Year movies continued to drive the global and international box office this weekend, after their astonishing Covid-era debuts last frame. Leaders last session, Detective Chinatown 3 and Hi Mom, both crossed the Rmb 4B mark locally, with each at an estimated Rmb 4.02B ($621M) cume through Sunday. This is after just 10 days of play for each film, and boosts both up the all-time charts
The current Maoyan-estimated grosses put Hi, Mom and DC3 within striking distance of topping Avengers: Endgame’s Rmb 4.24B ($629.1M) total in China. Hi, Mom, a time-travel comedy from comedian-turned-filmmaker Jia Ling that has benefited from great word of mouth, is projected to become the No. 2 all-time highest-grossing film in China with a Maoyan-estimated final of Rmb 5.17B ($799M). These figures are subject to change over the film’s evolution, but should they hold, Hi, Mom would slot in above 2019’s Nezha and behind 2017’s Wolf Warrior 2.
The current Maoyan-estimated grosses put Hi, Mom and DC3 within striking distance of topping Avengers: Endgame’s Rmb 4.24B ($629.1M) total in China. Hi, Mom, a time-travel comedy from comedian-turned-filmmaker Jia Ling that has benefited from great word of mouth, is projected to become the No. 2 all-time highest-grossing film in China with a Maoyan-estimated final of Rmb 5.17B ($799M). These figures are subject to change over the film’s evolution, but should they hold, Hi, Mom would slot in above 2019’s Nezha and behind 2017’s Wolf Warrior 2.
- 2/22/2021
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
China’s Lunar New Year holiday brought in a record $1.2 billion (RMB7.8 billion) in ticket sales, making a tenth of the global 2020 box office in just six days.
It marked the first time in Chinese film history that the country’s single-day box office exceeded RMB1 billion ($155 million) for five consecutive days. More than 160 million viewers attended more than 2.9 million screenings, setting new records for attendance during the holiday.
The top three films were “Detective Chinatown 3,” which grossed an eye-watering $550 million (RMB3.55 billion), “Hi, Mom,” which earned $422 million (RMB2.72 billion), and “A Writer’s Odyssey,” which made $83.7 million (RMB540 million), according to Alibaba’s Beacon industry data tracker.
The soaring figures “indicate not only that the industry is warming up again, but also that with the effective prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic, China’s box office this year could reach new highs,” the Beijing News celebrated cheerfully in a commentary.
It marked the first time in Chinese film history that the country’s single-day box office exceeded RMB1 billion ($155 million) for five consecutive days. More than 160 million viewers attended more than 2.9 million screenings, setting new records for attendance during the holiday.
The top three films were “Detective Chinatown 3,” which grossed an eye-watering $550 million (RMB3.55 billion), “Hi, Mom,” which earned $422 million (RMB2.72 billion), and “A Writer’s Odyssey,” which made $83.7 million (RMB540 million), according to Alibaba’s Beacon industry data tracker.
The soaring figures “indicate not only that the industry is warming up again, but also that with the effective prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic, China’s box office this year could reach new highs,” the Beijing News celebrated cheerfully in a commentary.
- 2/18/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
The world’s largest film market is living up to its title with world-record-setting sales. “Detective Chinatown 3” shot past strong competition, as predicted, on its Chinese New Year opening day on Friday, notching a record-breaking $163 million (RMB1.05 billion) in sales despite poor word of mouth.
The sum marks the highest ever opening day tally for a film in a single market, beating out former title-holder “Avengers: Endgame,” which grossed $157 million in North America on its first day in 2019.
“Detective Chinatown” sales on Friday accounted for more than 60% of China’s total new year’s day box office nationwide, which surpassed that of 2019 at $268 million (RMB1.73 billion).
The massive commercial success of director Chen Sicheng’s comedic mystery also propelled Imax to new heights. As of Friday evening local time, the firm “very confidently” projected full-day China earnings of $7.7 million from three films, 18% more than on Chinese New Year’s...
The sum marks the highest ever opening day tally for a film in a single market, beating out former title-holder “Avengers: Endgame,” which grossed $157 million in North America on its first day in 2019.
“Detective Chinatown” sales on Friday accounted for more than 60% of China’s total new year’s day box office nationwide, which surpassed that of 2019 at $268 million (RMB1.73 billion).
The massive commercial success of director Chen Sicheng’s comedic mystery also propelled Imax to new heights. As of Friday evening local time, the firm “very confidently” projected full-day China earnings of $7.7 million from three films, 18% more than on Chinese New Year’s...
- 2/12/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Hong Kong’s highest grossing director, Dante Lam, will soon be releasing his next action-packed film, “The Rescue“. Arriving in theaters just in time for the holiday season, the film chronicles a Chinese rescue team’s death-defying mission to save survivors of a fiery offshore catastrophe. Comprised of men of women from various backgrounds and led by a maverick captain (played by heartthrob and action star Eddie Peng), the unit must set aside their differences to face escalating challenges across air, land and sea. In addition to Peng, the film’s ensemble cast includes Xin Zhilei (Crosscurrent) and Wang Yanlin (Operation Red Sea).
The Rescue is, to date, the largest Chinese film production set at sea. Many water scenes were filmed at Mexico’s Baja Studios facilities, which was first built in 1996 for James Cameron when he filmed his epic “Titanic.” The Rescue used the studios’ largest tank, which has...
The Rescue is, to date, the largest Chinese film production set at sea. Many water scenes were filmed at Mexico’s Baja Studios facilities, which was first built in 1996 for James Cameron when he filmed his epic “Titanic.” The Rescue used the studios’ largest tank, which has...
- 12/15/2020
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
Specialty distributor Shout! Studios has secured all North American rights to ecology-themed Chinese animated feature “The Legend Of Hei.” In a partnership with France’s Play Big, it will give the film a release in the U.S. and Canada.
“The Legend Of Hei” is a heart-warming fantasy about a cat spirit who goes on a journey of self-discovery after its forest home is destroyed by humans. It was directed by Zhang Ping (a.k.a Mtjj), who spent five years adapting the picture from a Flash animation series that he created in 2011 and published online.
The feature had a successful commercial release in China from September last year and earned $48 million at the box office. It subsequently enjoyed festival play at the Guangzhou and Beijing student festivals and at the 2020 edition of Annecy. It recently began a theatrical outing in Japan.
For the North American release, Shout! and Play...
“The Legend Of Hei” is a heart-warming fantasy about a cat spirit who goes on a journey of self-discovery after its forest home is destroyed by humans. It was directed by Zhang Ping (a.k.a Mtjj), who spent five years adapting the picture from a Flash animation series that he created in 2011 and published online.
The feature had a successful commercial release in China from September last year and earned $48 million at the box office. It subsequently enjoyed festival play at the Guangzhou and Beijing student festivals and at the 2020 edition of Annecy. It recently began a theatrical outing in Japan.
For the North American release, Shout! and Play...
- 12/15/2020
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Local war epic Sacrifice held on to the top spot and has reached a cume of $134.2m since opening on October 23.
Local war epic Sacrifice held on to the top spot at the China box office over the weekend (November 6-8), grossing $14.3m, according to figures from Artisan Gateway, while Li Xiaofeng’s Back To The Wharf came in second with $7.1m in its opening three days.
Sacrifice, was produced to celebrate the 70th anniversary of China’s entry into the Korean War, has grossed a cumulative total of $134.2m since opening on October 23.
Executive produced by leading actor-producer Huang Bo,...
Local war epic Sacrifice held on to the top spot at the China box office over the weekend (November 6-8), grossing $14.3m, according to figures from Artisan Gateway, while Li Xiaofeng’s Back To The Wharf came in second with $7.1m in its opening three days.
Sacrifice, was produced to celebrate the 70th anniversary of China’s entry into the Korean War, has grossed a cumulative total of $134.2m since opening on October 23.
Executive produced by leading actor-producer Huang Bo,...
- 11/9/2020
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
China had a relatively quiet box office weekend, in which holdover Korean War-set title “Sacrifice” led for the third week in a row thanks to $14.4 million in sales, according to data from industry tracker Maoyan.
This week’s most notable new release was the blood-stained, tear-soaked, seaside-set local crime thriller “Back to the Wharf,” which came in second with a $7.09 million debut. It stars Zhang Yu and was directed by Li Xiaofeng. His first feature, the 2014 period drama “Nezha,” premiered in the New Currents section at the Busan International Film Festival that year but made just $82,130 in Chinese theaters.
Patriotic omnibus film “My People, My Homeland,” now well over a month in theaters, came in third with $4.86 million. It has now grossed a cumulative $416 million (RMB2.75 billion), making it one of the world’s biggest films of the year and the 21st highest grossing film of all time in China.
This week’s most notable new release was the blood-stained, tear-soaked, seaside-set local crime thriller “Back to the Wharf,” which came in second with a $7.09 million debut. It stars Zhang Yu and was directed by Li Xiaofeng. His first feature, the 2014 period drama “Nezha,” premiered in the New Currents section at the Busan International Film Festival that year but made just $82,130 in Chinese theaters.
Patriotic omnibus film “My People, My Homeland,” now well over a month in theaters, came in third with $4.86 million. It has now grossed a cumulative $416 million (RMB2.75 billion), making it one of the world’s biggest films of the year and the 21st highest grossing film of all time in China.
- 11/8/2020
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
China’s patriotic “My People, My Homeland” has grossed $325 million as of Monday evening local time, earning more money in less than two weeks than the $323 million that Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” has grossed globally in over a month, according to data from Maoyan and Box Office Mojo.
This weekend, the total China box office hit $68 million, once again far surpassing sales in North America, where cinemas earned less than $9.5 million. To date, the Chinese box office has grossed $1.9 billion so far in 2020. The tally puts China now neck-and-neck with the North American market’s year-to-date earnings of $2.08 billion, according to Comscore. (Both markets are down 76% year-on-year.)
Cinema-going is on the rise in China as the pandemic remains under control, with strong local films set to release in the remainder of the year. Meanwhile, U.S. theaters are heading for trouble as Hollywood studio tentpoles drop off the calendar and...
This weekend, the total China box office hit $68 million, once again far surpassing sales in North America, where cinemas earned less than $9.5 million. To date, the Chinese box office has grossed $1.9 billion so far in 2020. The tally puts China now neck-and-neck with the North American market’s year-to-date earnings of $2.08 billion, according to Comscore. (Both markets are down 76% year-on-year.)
Cinema-going is on the rise in China as the pandemic remains under control, with strong local films set to release in the remainder of the year. Meanwhile, U.S. theaters are heading for trouble as Hollywood studio tentpoles drop off the calendar and...
- 10/12/2020
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
My People, My Homeland topped the box office over the eight-day holiday period and has so far grossed $318m.
China’s box office reached $580m over the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays (October 1-8) according to state media, marking the second-highest box office revenues ever over this key holiday period, behind last year’s record haul.
The figures were achieved despite the fact that cinemas are running at 75% capacity due to social distancing measures. Last year’s National Day holidays were particularly lucrative as they coincided with celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
China’s box office reached $580m over the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holidays (October 1-8) according to state media, marking the second-highest box office revenues ever over this key holiday period, behind last year’s record haul.
The figures were achieved despite the fact that cinemas are running at 75% capacity due to social distancing measures. Last year’s National Day holidays were particularly lucrative as they coincided with celebrations for the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
- 10/12/2020
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
The China box office bounced back this weekend to its pre-pandemic levels, figures from its National Day holiday weekend show — proving that the right mix of competitive new local titles can entice viewers in, what this year is very much on track to be, the world’s largest movie market.
The news comes as other major markets flounder, with Regal Cinemas owner Cineworld Group announcing the temporary suspension of its U.S. and U.K. operations due to an insufficient pipeline of Hollywood studio tentpoles, causing its shares to plummet more than 40% on Monday.
China’s week-long vacation period to celebrate the Oct. 1 founding of the People’s Republic is one of its busiest moviegoing periods of the year. That is particularly true this year, after Covid-19 shut down cinemas and wiped out the prospects of the strong Lunar New Year release window. Three of the top five titles this...
The news comes as other major markets flounder, with Regal Cinemas owner Cineworld Group announcing the temporary suspension of its U.S. and U.K. operations due to an insufficient pipeline of Hollywood studio tentpoles, causing its shares to plummet more than 40% on Monday.
China’s week-long vacation period to celebrate the Oct. 1 founding of the People’s Republic is one of its busiest moviegoing periods of the year. That is particularly true this year, after Covid-19 shut down cinemas and wiped out the prospects of the strong Lunar New Year release window. Three of the top five titles this...
- 10/5/2020
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
China’s total box office over the three-day weekend (October 2-4) reached $215.6m.
Patriotic omnibus My People, My Homeland topped the China box office over the National Day weekend (October 2-4), according to figures from Artisan Gateway, grossing $97.5m. The film opened one day earlier on Thursday, October 1, the first day of the eight-day holiday, and in its first four days has grossed a cumulative total of $137.8m.
Produced by Beijing Culture, the film is executive produced by Zhang Yimou and has segments directed by Ning Hao, Xu Zheng and Chen Sicheng, among other directors. Last year’s similarly-themed My People, My Country...
Patriotic omnibus My People, My Homeland topped the China box office over the National Day weekend (October 2-4), according to figures from Artisan Gateway, grossing $97.5m. The film opened one day earlier on Thursday, October 1, the first day of the eight-day holiday, and in its first four days has grossed a cumulative total of $137.8m.
Produced by Beijing Culture, the film is executive produced by Zhang Yimou and has segments directed by Ning Hao, Xu Zheng and Chen Sicheng, among other directors. Last year’s similarly-themed My People, My Country...
- 10/5/2020
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
Saturday Update: Patriotic pic My People, My Homeland edged up to the No. 1 spot in China on Saturday, overtaking Jiang Ziya: Legend Of Deification which had led since opening on National Day this past Thursday (see below). An anthology sequel to last year’s My People, My Country, Homeland did an estimated Rmb 281.9M ($41.5M) on Saturday to take its three-day cume to $122M.
Jiang Ziya, with a through-Saturday estimated cume of Rmb 885.6M ($130.4M), and My People, My Homeland have today overtaken The Eight Hundred‘s launch ($117M including previews) on the list of biggest openers worldwide this year. The Top 3 slots on the global 2020 opening chart now belong to Chinese movies in just the home market where capacity restrictions were only recently eased up to 75%.
Total China box office on Saturday is estimated at Rmb 593.5M ($87.4M), a 12% dip from Friday. Regardless, compare those numbers to last weekend...
Jiang Ziya, with a through-Saturday estimated cume of Rmb 885.6M ($130.4M), and My People, My Homeland have today overtaken The Eight Hundred‘s launch ($117M including previews) on the list of biggest openers worldwide this year. The Top 3 slots on the global 2020 opening chart now belong to Chinese movies in just the home market where capacity restrictions were only recently eased up to 75%.
Total China box office on Saturday is estimated at Rmb 593.5M ($87.4M), a 12% dip from Friday. Regardless, compare those numbers to last weekend...
- 10/3/2020
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Chinese audiences didn’t fall in love with Disney’s live-action “Mulan,” but a Chinese firm is betting that its own retelling of the famous ballad may storm the box office in its stead with depictions of traditional values that better appeal to mainland viewers.
Gold Valley Film is set to release its feature animation “Kung Fu Mulan” over the National Day holiday from Oct. 3, where it will compete with fellow animation “Jiang Ziya: Legend of Deification,” patriotic “My People, My Homeland” and the volleyball drama “Leap.”
“When Disney’s animated ‘Mulan’ came out in 1998 and global audiences thought it was a great story, Chinese people were really happily surprised. But many of us also felt that the character you see in that story is more of an American girl than a Chinese girl,” explained Karen Luo, executive producer and head of international operations at Gold Valley. “We wanted to...
Gold Valley Film is set to release its feature animation “Kung Fu Mulan” over the National Day holiday from Oct. 3, where it will compete with fellow animation “Jiang Ziya: Legend of Deification,” patriotic “My People, My Homeland” and the volleyball drama “Leap.”
“When Disney’s animated ‘Mulan’ came out in 1998 and global audiences thought it was a great story, Chinese people were really happily surprised. But many of us also felt that the character you see in that story is more of an American girl than a Chinese girl,” explained Karen Luo, executive producer and head of international operations at Gold Valley. “We wanted to...
- 10/2/2020
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
The Chinese box office hit its highest single-day tally of the year so far on Thursday, reaching $107 million (RMB728 million), more than 10 times what North American cinemas made in the whole of last weekend. That sum marks China’s second largest Oct. 1 National Day box office in history, a feat achieved even as cinemas continue to operate at just 75% capacity.
Thursday was this year a dual holiday coincidentally marked by both the Mid-Autumn Festival and the first day of the week-long National Day vacation, typically one of the busiest times for cinemas.
Meanwhile, to compare, the total gross for North American over the latest three-day weekend period was just $9.26 million. Relative levels of movie-going are of course tied to progress in battling the pandemic: China logged just 11 new coronavirus cases nationwide on Wednesday, whereas the U.S. logged 43,114.
Leading China’s box office Thursday was Enlight’s hotly anticipated animation “Jiang Ziya: Legend of Deification,...
Thursday was this year a dual holiday coincidentally marked by both the Mid-Autumn Festival and the first day of the week-long National Day vacation, typically one of the busiest times for cinemas.
Meanwhile, to compare, the total gross for North American over the latest three-day weekend period was just $9.26 million. Relative levels of movie-going are of course tied to progress in battling the pandemic: China logged just 11 new coronavirus cases nationwide on Wednesday, whereas the U.S. logged 43,114.
Leading China’s box office Thursday was Enlight’s hotly anticipated animation “Jiang Ziya: Legend of Deification,...
- 10/2/2020
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Like “Ne Zha” — 2019’s monumental computer-animated box office hit — similarly spectacular CG epic “Jiang Ziya” concludes with nearly 10 minutes of credits: a dense scroll of names amounting to a virtual army of animators, punctuated by extra scenes and teasers for upcoming projects from Chinese distributor Beijing Enlight Pictures. That’s how fans first learned of this film’s existence: Adopting a strategy that has served Marvel well at the movies, “Ne Zha” touted the arrival of “Jiang Ziya” in its last few minutes, sparking a wave of excitement among fans, and now in turn, this follow-up wraps with promises that there’s a greater “Fengshen Cinematic Universe” afoot.
Playing fast and loose with classic Chinese literature, both films draw their lead characters from the 16th-century novel “Fengshen Yanyi” (aka “Investiture of the Gods”) and concern the meddling by immortals and demons in the affairs of men more than a thousand years B.
Playing fast and loose with classic Chinese literature, both films draw their lead characters from the 16th-century novel “Fengshen Yanyi” (aka “Investiture of the Gods”) and concern the meddling by immortals and demons in the affairs of men more than a thousand years B.
- 10/1/2020
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
Li’s third film premiered in competition at this year’s Shanghai International Film Festival.
Beijing-based sales agent Rediance has picked up international rights to Li Xiaofeng’s Back To The Wharf, which premiered in competition at this year’s Shanghai International Film Festival.
Executive produced by leading actor/producer Huang Bo, the film revolves around a former top high school student returning to the hometown he left 15 years ago following an accident. After meeting an old classmate, he decides to face the wounds of the past and take back control of his life.
Starring Zhang Yu (An Elephant Sitting Still...
Beijing-based sales agent Rediance has picked up international rights to Li Xiaofeng’s Back To The Wharf, which premiered in competition at this year’s Shanghai International Film Festival.
Executive produced by leading actor/producer Huang Bo, the film revolves around a former top high school student returning to the hometown he left 15 years ago following an accident. After meeting an old classmate, he decides to face the wounds of the past and take back control of his life.
Starring Zhang Yu (An Elephant Sitting Still...
- 9/28/2020
- by Liz Shackleton
- ScreenDaily
The first major blockbuster of the pandemic era, The Eight Hundred this week became the No. 1-grossing movie of 2020 worldwide, jumping ahead of Bad Boys For Life. The Guan Hu-directed war epic has through Friday amassed $434M at the Chinese box office alone, and is also now the 10th biggest movie ever in the Middle Kingdom.
Since the official release on August 21 (more than a year after its original date was derailed), The Eight Hundred has relinquished the No. 1 slot on only four days, demonstrating its dominance even in the face of major Hollywood movies. The reported $80M production is expected to wind down when the National Holiday releases begin on October 1. One of those titles, Leap — which was originally slated for the Lunar New Year — got a jump on the holiday with previews starting today, and led the day at Rmb 56M ($8.2M), putting The Eight Hundred into second place.
Since the official release on August 21 (more than a year after its original date was derailed), The Eight Hundred has relinquished the No. 1 slot on only four days, demonstrating its dominance even in the face of major Hollywood movies. The reported $80M production is expected to wind down when the National Holiday releases begin on October 1. One of those titles, Leap — which was originally slated for the Lunar New Year — got a jump on the holiday with previews starting today, and led the day at Rmb 56M ($8.2M), putting The Eight Hundred into second place.
- 9/25/2020
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Chinese sci-fi blockbuster “The Wandering Earth” was named film of the year by the China Film Directors Guild at its annual awards ceremony on Saturday night in Beijing, local media reported.
The award ceremony, which took place coincided with the further re-opening of cinemas in China as the Covid-19 pandemic recedes, also presented director of the year award (Hong Kong and Taiwan) to Derek Tsang for his 2019 youth drama “Better Days.” It was the second time that Tsang won the award. He previously won for his 2016 drama “Soul Mate.”
“Better Days” star Zhou Dongyu was named actress of the year, also her second win for this award. In 2018 she won with her performance in “This Is Not What I Expected.”
The actor of the year award went to Wang Jingchun for his portrayal of a father who adopted a boy after losing his son in “So Long, My Son.” The...
The award ceremony, which took place coincided with the further re-opening of cinemas in China as the Covid-19 pandemic recedes, also presented director of the year award (Hong Kong and Taiwan) to Derek Tsang for his 2019 youth drama “Better Days.” It was the second time that Tsang won the award. He previously won for his 2016 drama “Soul Mate.”
“Better Days” star Zhou Dongyu was named actress of the year, also her second win for this award. In 2018 she won with her performance in “This Is Not What I Expected.”
The actor of the year award went to Wang Jingchun for his portrayal of a father who adopted a boy after losing his son in “So Long, My Son.” The...
- 9/19/2020
- by Vivienne Chow
- Variety Film + TV
Though China was among the first in the world to restart film shoots in the wake of Covid-19, the number of projects going into production has been drastically reduced by the pandemic and its accompanying economic uncertainty.
Recent financial reports and public comments from China’s major studios reveal some trends in what to expect from those productions still in the pipeline. There will be a blast of coronavirus-themed films and patriotic content to mark next year’s 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party that are unlikely to make much of a dent abroad, a strong line-up of actioners and crime thrillers — some more hard-boiled and some more fantasy-based — and inventive animated fare with big ambitions, alongside a steady stream of rom-coms and titles from up-and-coming talent.
In late July, Bona Film Group chairman Yu Dong said that Chinese film industry practitioners are “actually very anxious” and “should be...
Recent financial reports and public comments from China’s major studios reveal some trends in what to expect from those productions still in the pipeline. There will be a blast of coronavirus-themed films and patriotic content to mark next year’s 100th anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party that are unlikely to make much of a dent abroad, a strong line-up of actioners and crime thrillers — some more hard-boiled and some more fantasy-based — and inventive animated fare with big ambitions, alongside a steady stream of rom-coms and titles from up-and-coming talent.
In late July, Bona Film Group chairman Yu Dong said that Chinese film industry practitioners are “actually very anxious” and “should be...
- 9/10/2020
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Talent stars in festival selection Baseball Girl, one of several South Korean films this year.
The 19th New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff) will honour South Korea’s Lee Joo-young with the 2020 Screen International Rising Star Award at its upcoming virtual edition.
Lee stars in Choi Yun-Tae’s Baseball Girl, which receives its international premiere and screens throughout the festival from August 28-September 12 on the Smart Cinema USA app.
Baseball Girl centres on a talented high school athlete who battles chauvinism to make it into the team.
Lee, who stars in Netflix drama Itaewon Class, made her screen debut in...
The 19th New York Asian Film Festival (Nyaff) will honour South Korea’s Lee Joo-young with the 2020 Screen International Rising Star Award at its upcoming virtual edition.
Lee stars in Choi Yun-Tae’s Baseball Girl, which receives its international premiere and screens throughout the festival from August 28-September 12 on the Smart Cinema USA app.
Baseball Girl centres on a talented high school athlete who battles chauvinism to make it into the team.
Lee, who stars in Netflix drama Itaewon Class, made her screen debut in...
- 8/19/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Robert Downey Jr.’s family film “Dolittle” and Sony’s thriller “Bloodshot” led China’s first opening weekend at the box office since the coronavirus outbreak, a sign that new titles sell better than re-runs of beloved classics. Five out of the top 10 films this weekend were Hollywood titles.
China began reopening theaters in regions deemed at low risk for Covid-19 on Monday. As of noon on Sunday, local time, it had opened around 4,900 cinemas, accounting for approximately 44% of the country’s total. They are currently only allowed to operate at 30% capacity to provide sufficient social distancing between customers.
“Dolittle,” from Universal, was the top title this weekend with a $4.71 million three-day debut, according to Chinese data provider Ent Group. Vin Diesel-starring “Bloodshot,” backed by China’s Bona Film Group, trailed in second place, bowing to the tune of $2.61 million.
Local crime thriller “Sheep Without a Shepherd” came in third with $2 million.
China began reopening theaters in regions deemed at low risk for Covid-19 on Monday. As of noon on Sunday, local time, it had opened around 4,900 cinemas, accounting for approximately 44% of the country’s total. They are currently only allowed to operate at 30% capacity to provide sufficient social distancing between customers.
“Dolittle,” from Universal, was the top title this weekend with a $4.71 million three-day debut, according to Chinese data provider Ent Group. Vin Diesel-starring “Bloodshot,” backed by China’s Bona Film Group, trailed in second place, bowing to the tune of $2.61 million.
Local crime thriller “Sheep Without a Shepherd” came in third with $2 million.
- 7/26/2020
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
China reopened its cinemas on Monday after nearly five months of closure, but audiences are only trickling in.
The re-opening was restricted to theaters in cities and regions where the coronavirus is deemed to have been vanquished. That excluded Beijing, where recent weeks have seen a resurgence of Covid-19 cases.
By 6 p.m. local time, cumulative nationwide gross takings totalled $470,000 (RMB3.35 million), according to figures from measurement agency and consultancy Entdata. Earlier in the day, state media had reported that the total included more than $150,000 of prior bookings, which indicates that only modest numbers of cinema-goers made decisions on the day.
The slow pace of ticket sales in commercial theaters contrasted with buoyant first day sales for the Shanghai International Film Festival. Unconfirmed local sources report that the festival achieved over 100,000 ticket sales in the first 10 minutes of online ticketing. The festival will run July 25-Aug. 2.
Rewarding a degree of bold programming,...
The re-opening was restricted to theaters in cities and regions where the coronavirus is deemed to have been vanquished. That excluded Beijing, where recent weeks have seen a resurgence of Covid-19 cases.
By 6 p.m. local time, cumulative nationwide gross takings totalled $470,000 (RMB3.35 million), according to figures from measurement agency and consultancy Entdata. Earlier in the day, state media had reported that the total included more than $150,000 of prior bookings, which indicates that only modest numbers of cinema-goers made decisions on the day.
The slow pace of ticket sales in commercial theaters contrasted with buoyant first day sales for the Shanghai International Film Festival. Unconfirmed local sources report that the festival achieved over 100,000 ticket sales in the first 10 minutes of online ticketing. The festival will run July 25-Aug. 2.
Rewarding a degree of bold programming,...
- 7/20/2020
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Universal’s Dolittle and Sony’s Bloodshot are both scheduled to open this weekend.
China’s theatrical market showed its first signs of life in nearly six months on Monday (July 20), the day on which authorities finally allowed cinemas to reopen in “low-risk areas” across the country.
Total box office had surpassed $460,000 (RMB3.22m) as of 17:00 local time, with Lina Wang’s award-winning A First Farewell, a coming-of-age story set among the Uyghur community, topping the chart with $160,000 (RMB1.1m).
Most of the other films opening today are rereleases, including US titles Coco, The Pursuit Of Happyness and A Dog’s Purpose,...
China’s theatrical market showed its first signs of life in nearly six months on Monday (July 20), the day on which authorities finally allowed cinemas to reopen in “low-risk areas” across the country.
Total box office had surpassed $460,000 (RMB3.22m) as of 17:00 local time, with Lina Wang’s award-winning A First Farewell, a coming-of-age story set among the Uyghur community, topping the chart with $160,000 (RMB1.1m).
Most of the other films opening today are rereleases, including US titles Coco, The Pursuit Of Happyness and A Dog’s Purpose,...
- 7/20/2020
- by 89¦Liz Shackleton¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Chinese cinemas will open next week in regions at low risk for Covid-19 with a boost from a slew of Hollywood titles, including “The Pursuit of Happyness,” “Dolittle,” “Bloodshot,” and “Coco.”
China’s theaters have been closed for longer than any other country’s, having stayed dark — despite a brief attempt to reopen in March — since the lunar new year holiday in late January.
As of early Saturday morning in China, 22 films are set to hit theaters on Monday, the first day of reopenings, including U.S. films “Pursuit of Happyness,” “Coco,” and “A Dog’s Purpose.”
The others are all Chinese re-run titles, except for one new one: “A First Farewell,” a well-received arthouse title set in China’s Xinjiang region that screened as part of last year’s Generation Kplus selection at Berlin.
The opening day offerings include: blockbusters “Wolf Warrior 2,” “Monster Hunt,” “Wolf Totem,” “American Dreams in China,...
China’s theaters have been closed for longer than any other country’s, having stayed dark — despite a brief attempt to reopen in March — since the lunar new year holiday in late January.
As of early Saturday morning in China, 22 films are set to hit theaters on Monday, the first day of reopenings, including U.S. films “Pursuit of Happyness,” “Coco,” and “A Dog’s Purpose.”
The others are all Chinese re-run titles, except for one new one: “A First Farewell,” a well-received arthouse title set in China’s Xinjiang region that screened as part of last year’s Generation Kplus selection at Berlin.
The opening day offerings include: blockbusters “Wolf Warrior 2,” “Monster Hunt,” “Wolf Totem,” “American Dreams in China,...
- 7/17/2020
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Wasting no time as cinemas prepare to reopen beginning next week in most of China, a first batch of titles due for release has been identified. Universal’s Dolittle has been granted a July 24 date while we understand that Sony’s Bloodshot, handled locally by Bona Film, will also go out that same day. This would make them the first ‘new’ Hollywood titles to hit the market since movie theaters shuttered in January. Both were sidelined amid the Covid-19 crisis.
The following Friday, sources tell us that DreamWorks/Amblin/Universal’s lauded Sam Mendes war drama 1917 is slated to see the inside of Middle Kingdom theaters for the first time since it stormed awards season.
Further, as suspected, the initial roster of older titles to populate screens starting next week is made up of predominantly local blockbusters from the past few years — think Ne Zha, Wolf Warrior 2, The Mermaid — but also includes Coco,...
The following Friday, sources tell us that DreamWorks/Amblin/Universal’s lauded Sam Mendes war drama 1917 is slated to see the inside of Middle Kingdom theaters for the first time since it stormed awards season.
Further, as suspected, the initial roster of older titles to populate screens starting next week is made up of predominantly local blockbusters from the past few years — think Ne Zha, Wolf Warrior 2, The Mermaid — but also includes Coco,...
- 7/17/2020
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Leading Hollywood visualization studio The Third Floor (Ttf) has opened its first Beijing office. It seeks to create a hub in China on par with its other main outposts in Los Angeles and London that will cater primarily to local projects.
Ttf specializes in the pre-production process of pre-visualization, or pre-viz, which uses digital tools to plan complex film and TV projects shot by shot. The firm is known for its work on titles like HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” Marvel’s “Avengers: Endgame” and Alfonso Cuaron’s “Gravity.”
Its new Beijing outpost will be led by Maggie Lu, who comes off years in the theme park side of the entertainment business with stints at Dalian Wanda and Dalian Haichang. She will command a staff of around 20, many of whom have been in training for the past year both in China and Los Angeles.
“The coronavirus pandemic will influence the speed of our team-building,...
Ttf specializes in the pre-production process of pre-visualization, or pre-viz, which uses digital tools to plan complex film and TV projects shot by shot. The firm is known for its work on titles like HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” Marvel’s “Avengers: Endgame” and Alfonso Cuaron’s “Gravity.”
Its new Beijing outpost will be led by Maggie Lu, who comes off years in the theme park side of the entertainment business with stints at Dalian Wanda and Dalian Haichang. She will command a staff of around 20, many of whom have been in training for the past year both in China and Los Angeles.
“The coronavirus pandemic will influence the speed of our team-building,...
- 7/1/2020
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
China’s Cmc Pictures will bring a line-up of five titles to the Cannes virtual market this year, including “Assassin in Red,” a major blockbuster set to hit next Chinese New Year.
The firm will be selling global rights outside of China and Southeast Asia to the fantasy drama directed by Lu Yang and executive produced by Ning Hao (“Crazy Alien”).
The film, whose Mandarin title translates to “Assassinate the Novelist,” tells the story of a man who, in order to save his missing daughter, is tasked with killing a writer whose writing creates a parallel world that begins to interact with the real one.
The title reunites “Brotherhood of Blades II” stars Yang Mi (“Tiny Times”) and Lei Jiayin (“The Longest Day in Chang’an”), alongside Golden Horse Award winner Dong Zijiang (of Jia Zhangke’s “Mountains May Depart” and “Ash is Purest White”).
Cmc also brings two of its...
The firm will be selling global rights outside of China and Southeast Asia to the fantasy drama directed by Lu Yang and executive produced by Ning Hao (“Crazy Alien”).
The film, whose Mandarin title translates to “Assassinate the Novelist,” tells the story of a man who, in order to save his missing daughter, is tasked with killing a writer whose writing creates a parallel world that begins to interact with the real one.
The title reunites “Brotherhood of Blades II” stars Yang Mi (“Tiny Times”) and Lei Jiayin (“The Longest Day in Chang’an”), alongside Golden Horse Award winner Dong Zijiang (of Jia Zhangke’s “Mountains May Depart” and “Ash is Purest White”).
Cmc also brings two of its...
- 6/19/2020
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
You know the drill at this point. The coronavirus has shut down production and distribution of original content worldwide, which includes those that are financed by Netflix. Fortunately for the streamer, however, its business model allows the company to scavenge all of entertainment history for undiscovered gems and present them to the quarantined masses. In fact, quite a few interesting titles hit the platform this week, and here’s the best of what arrived over the past few days.
First up we got The Lincoln Lawyer. This 2011 crime thriller, directed by Brad Furman and starring Matthew McConaughey, follows a lawyer who unknowingly takes on a client who not only committed the crime of which he’s been accused of, but also bears responsibility for a multitude of other horrific acts. Though critics didn’t exactly shower it with love, it’s widely regarded as the project which kicked off the McConaissance,...
First up we got The Lincoln Lawyer. This 2011 crime thriller, directed by Brad Furman and starring Matthew McConaughey, follows a lawyer who unknowingly takes on a client who not only committed the crime of which he’s been accused of, but also bears responsibility for a multitude of other horrific acts. Though critics didn’t exactly shower it with love, it’s widely regarded as the project which kicked off the McConaissance,...
- 6/1/2020
- by Tim Brinkhof
- We Got This Covered
Most people would probably agree that Adam Sandler is one of the most divisive personalities in modern-day Hollywood. His movies usually do pretty well at the box office, and find themselves with tons of viewers if they’re Netflix exclusives, but his lowbrow comedic efforts often get destroyed by critics, who constantly call him out for phoning it in.
That being said, he’s more than capable of stepping outside his comfort zone to bring us strong dramatic performances, just like he did with the recent Uncut Gems. In fact, his work in the film was so good that many even thought he could end up with a Best Actor Oscar nod. Of course, that didn’t happen, but it’s still one of Sandler’s best efforts and it seems that Netflix subscribers agree.
Indeed, the movie has been dominating on the platform for almost a week now, but it’s not alone.
That being said, he’s more than capable of stepping outside his comfort zone to bring us strong dramatic performances, just like he did with the recent Uncut Gems. In fact, his work in the film was so good that many even thought he could end up with a Best Actor Oscar nod. Of course, that didn’t happen, but it’s still one of Sandler’s best efforts and it seems that Netflix subscribers agree.
Indeed, the movie has been dominating on the platform for almost a week now, but it’s not alone.
- 5/31/2020
- by Matt Joseph
- We Got This Covered
As Memorial Day Weekend winds down, why not settle down with a bag of popcorn and flip on Netflix later tonight? After all, they’ve just added 6 new titles, comprised of 3 movies and 3 TV shows.
It’s not the most eye-catching batch of content, but there’s at least 1 notable release in each of the aforementioned categories, including a film that picked up a ton of awards buzz when it first hit theaters last year. Meanwhile, those who’ve yet to catch up on The CW’s Supergirl can now do so, as season 5 has arrived on the platform.
See below for the full list of what was added today:
Alphablocks (Season 1) Ne Zha (2019) Norm of the North: Family Vacation (2020) Numberblocks (Season 1) Uncut Gems (2019) Supergirl (Season 5) Supergirl Season 5 Finale Photos Tease Kara And Lena's Alliance 1 of 9
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It’s not the most eye-catching batch of content, but there’s at least 1 notable release in each of the aforementioned categories, including a film that picked up a ton of awards buzz when it first hit theaters last year. Meanwhile, those who’ve yet to catch up on The CW’s Supergirl can now do so, as season 5 has arrived on the platform.
See below for the full list of what was added today:
Alphablocks (Season 1) Ne Zha (2019) Norm of the North: Family Vacation (2020) Numberblocks (Season 1) Uncut Gems (2019) Supergirl (Season 5) Supergirl Season 5 Finale Photos Tease Kara And Lena's Alliance 1 of 9
Click to skip
More From The Web Click to zoom
Clearly, the highlight here...
- 5/25/2020
- by Matt Joseph
- We Got This Covered
Although we know that Netflix already have a bumper collection of content planned for June, the streaming giant are also using the final week of May to put out a lot of new series and movies.
After a weekend where an Adam Sandler film has, not for the first time, pulled in big audiences for the platform, the streamer’s giving us a chance to appreciate one of the actor’s more serious roles by releasing Uncut Gems. Other highlights coming up between May 24th and May 31st, meanwhile, include a new Jeffrey Epstein limited series and the debut of Space Force.
On the movie side, the Safdie brothers’ Uncut Gems arrives on Monday, May 25th, and is highly recommended for anyone that hasn’t yet a had a chance to take in the deep dive into pawnshops and bets gone wrong. Other film highlights include the Matthew McConaughey-starring The Lincoln Lawyer,...
After a weekend where an Adam Sandler film has, not for the first time, pulled in big audiences for the platform, the streamer’s giving us a chance to appreciate one of the actor’s more serious roles by releasing Uncut Gems. Other highlights coming up between May 24th and May 31st, meanwhile, include a new Jeffrey Epstein limited series and the debut of Space Force.
On the movie side, the Safdie brothers’ Uncut Gems arrives on Monday, May 25th, and is highly recommended for anyone that hasn’t yet a had a chance to take in the deep dive into pawnshops and bets gone wrong. Other film highlights include the Matthew McConaughey-starring The Lincoln Lawyer,...
- 5/24/2020
- by Jessica James
- We Got This Covered
Netflix has confirmed that 50 new original series, movies and specials will be debuting on the streaming service in May. Leading off the lineup are Ryan Murphy‘s limited series “Hollywood” and the debut of the comedy series “Space Force,” which reunites “The Office” star and creator Steve Carell and Greg Daniels. Also look for the sophomore season of the comedy noir “Dead to Me,” with Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini.
In these trying times, we can take comfort in the slew of stand-up specials, including new sets by Jerry Seinfeld, Patton Oswalt and Hannah Gadsby. On the reality side, we can’t wait to gobble up season 2 of “Restaurants on the Edge” and season 3 of “Someone Feed Phil.”
Below is the full schedule of everything that is coming and leaving Netflix in May 2020.
Available May 1
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
All Day and a Night – Netflix Film
Almost Happy – Netflix Original...
In these trying times, we can take comfort in the slew of stand-up specials, including new sets by Jerry Seinfeld, Patton Oswalt and Hannah Gadsby. On the reality side, we can’t wait to gobble up season 2 of “Restaurants on the Edge” and season 3 of “Someone Feed Phil.”
Below is the full schedule of everything that is coming and leaving Netflix in May 2020.
Available May 1
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
All Day and a Night – Netflix Film
Almost Happy – Netflix Original...
- 5/1/2020
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Netflix is out with its list of everything coming and going in May.
Highlights include “Back to the Future” and “Back to the Future II,” the series premiere of Ryan Murphy’s “Hollywood,”
Jerry Seinfeld’s new comedy special “23 Hours to Kill,” and season two of “Dead to Me.”
Leaving throughout the month are “Austin Powers in Goldmember,” “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery,” and “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me,” “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” “Limitless” and “The Place Beyond the Pines.”
Also Read: AT&T Q1 Earnings Decline, WarnerMedia Parent Blames Coronavirus
Here’s everything coming and going:
May 1
All Day and a Night — Netflix Film
Almost Happy — Netflix Original
Get In — Netflix Film
Go! Go! Cory Carson: The Chrissy — Netflix Family
The Half Of It — Netflix Film
Hollywood — Netflix Original
Into the Night — Netflix Original
Medici: The Magnificent: Part 2 — Netflix Original
Mrs. Serial Killer — Netflix Film
Reckoning...
Highlights include “Back to the Future” and “Back to the Future II,” the series premiere of Ryan Murphy’s “Hollywood,”
Jerry Seinfeld’s new comedy special “23 Hours to Kill,” and season two of “Dead to Me.”
Leaving throughout the month are “Austin Powers in Goldmember,” “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery,” and “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me,” “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” “Limitless” and “The Place Beyond the Pines.”
Also Read: AT&T Q1 Earnings Decline, WarnerMedia Parent Blames Coronavirus
Here’s everything coming and going:
May 1
All Day and a Night — Netflix Film
Almost Happy — Netflix Original
Get In — Netflix Film
Go! Go! Cory Carson: The Chrissy — Netflix Family
The Half Of It — Netflix Film
Hollywood — Netflix Original
Into the Night — Netflix Original
Medici: The Magnificent: Part 2 — Netflix Original
Mrs. Serial Killer — Netflix Film
Reckoning...
- 4/22/2020
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Middle East distributor Front Row Filmed Entertainment is shifting a raft of theatrical releases online due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has shuttered cinemas across the region.
It’s rare for Mena distributors to forego theatrical releases on decent-sized movies given strict windowing rules. But the current climate will see Front Row kick off ‘Premium VOD’ launches with Jesse Eisenberg’s Marcel Marceau biopic Resistance on April 13. The film was due to launch theatrically on April 9 but but will now debut on iTunes, Google Play, beIN On Demand and Osn Store as well as all local platforms including Du, Etisalat E-Vision, Ooredoo, Vodafone, and OmanTel.
More from DeadlineChina's iQiyi Streams Blockbuster 'Ne Zha' Across South East AsiaDuran Duran's John Taylor Reveals Coronavirus Diagnosis, Recovery: "We Can And Will Beat This Thing"NBC News's Kate Snow Says Husband Chris Bro Is Sick With Coronavirus Symptoms
Additional movies now...
It’s rare for Mena distributors to forego theatrical releases on decent-sized movies given strict windowing rules. But the current climate will see Front Row kick off ‘Premium VOD’ launches with Jesse Eisenberg’s Marcel Marceau biopic Resistance on April 13. The film was due to launch theatrically on April 9 but but will now debut on iTunes, Google Play, beIN On Demand and Osn Store as well as all local platforms including Du, Etisalat E-Vision, Ooredoo, Vodafone, and OmanTel.
More from DeadlineChina's iQiyi Streams Blockbuster 'Ne Zha' Across South East AsiaDuran Duran's John Taylor Reveals Coronavirus Diagnosis, Recovery: "We Can And Will Beat This Thing"NBC News's Kate Snow Says Husband Chris Bro Is Sick With Coronavirus Symptoms
Additional movies now...
- 4/6/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Chinese streaming giant iQiyi has made 2019 blockbuster animated film Ne Zha available in nine South East Asian markets. VIP subscribers in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Brunei and Cambodia from Sunday were given exclusive access to the $726M worldwide grosser which is China’s biggest toon ever and the No. 2 local title of all time.
The move, which comes amid global theater closures due to the coronavirus, could help iQiyi expand its international footprint. The overseas version of the iQiyi app has to date launched more than 2,700 films, including new releases and premium originals, the company said on Sunday, though subscriber numbers were not disclosed. The Ne Zha figure from classic Chinese fairy tales is widely known among young people in the South East Asia region, and since its launch on iQiyi in China, the film has been among the Top 10 most played movies on the platform,...
The move, which comes amid global theater closures due to the coronavirus, could help iQiyi expand its international footprint. The overseas version of the iQiyi app has to date launched more than 2,700 films, including new releases and premium originals, the company said on Sunday, though subscriber numbers were not disclosed. The Ne Zha figure from classic Chinese fairy tales is widely known among young people in the South East Asia region, and since its launch on iQiyi in China, the film has been among the Top 10 most played movies on the platform,...
- 4/6/2020
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
More than 200 cinemas in Shanghai will re-open Saturday after nearly two months of enforced shutdown to stop the spread of coronavirus, Chinese authorities said Thursday.
This makes the metropolis of more than 24 million one of China’s first major tier one cities to re-open multiplexes to the public, after others in more far-flung regions like Xinjiang or SIchuan provinces led the way last week.
A first batch of 205 Shanghai cinemas will resume operations Saturday, while the rest will re-open “in an orderly manner when the conditions are right,” said the official Xinhua news agency, referencing comments made by Shanghai Municipal Government spokesman Yin Xin at a Thursday press conference about coronavirus prevention. There are currently more than 380 cinemas in Shanghai.
In order to encourage viewers to actually frequent cinemas, the Shanghai Film Bureau will partner with the city’s propaganda bureau on a month-long program to subsidize film tickets. Until...
This makes the metropolis of more than 24 million one of China’s first major tier one cities to re-open multiplexes to the public, after others in more far-flung regions like Xinjiang or SIchuan provinces led the way last week.
A first batch of 205 Shanghai cinemas will resume operations Saturday, while the rest will re-open “in an orderly manner when the conditions are right,” said the official Xinhua news agency, referencing comments made by Shanghai Municipal Government spokesman Yin Xin at a Thursday press conference about coronavirus prevention. There are currently more than 380 cinemas in Shanghai.
In order to encourage viewers to actually frequent cinemas, the Shanghai Film Bureau will partner with the city’s propaganda bureau on a month-long program to subsidize film tickets. Until...
- 3/27/2020
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
We are hearing from U.S. industry sources as well as those on the ground in the Prc that the offices of China Film Group in Shanghai and those of China’s Film Bureau are re-opened for business — a sign that the country’s exhibition business is on its way to a gradual recovery after being shuttered since the Lunar New Year due to the coronavirus outbreak. It’s a respite that has cost China’s box office at least $2 billion or more.
“They’re starting to lay out a plan for the re-opening of cinema in China,” Imax CEO Richard Gelfond told Deadline today about the news of China Film Group’s re-opening, “They’re starting to assess what movies are available, in what time periods and how they want to manage the re-opening.”
More from DeadlineChina Moviegoing Survey Reveals 62% Of People Will Wait For Complete Covid-19 Containment Before...
“They’re starting to lay out a plan for the re-opening of cinema in China,” Imax CEO Richard Gelfond told Deadline today about the news of China Film Group’s re-opening, “They’re starting to assess what movies are available, in what time periods and how they want to manage the re-opening.”
More from DeadlineChina Moviegoing Survey Reveals 62% Of People Will Wait For Complete Covid-19 Containment Before...
- 3/18/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro and Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
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