After a moderate start in China, Barbie is gaining momentum in the country’s second-biggest movie market. Despite facing tough competition from local hits, the film has managed to generate positive reviews from critics and strong word-of-mouth from audiences.
Barbie opened to $8 million in China during its first weekend, securing fifth place in the box office. While the initial total seemed low, it wasn’t an indication of the film’s future performance. Many recent Hollywood releases, including Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, failed to gain traction in China after underperforming at their opening weekend. This led to speculation that Chinese consumers were turning away from Western films. However, Barbie’s situation turned out to be different.
Unlike other Hollywood releases, Barbie received excellent scores on China’s most respected movie apps upon its release. It earned 9.4 on Maoyan, 9.3 on Tao Piao Piao, and 8.6 on Douban. These high ratings, coupled with positive audience reception, prompted theaters in China to increase the number of screens dedicated to the film. The film went from over 9,000 screens to around 36,000 screens, according to data from Maoyan.
The increased screen count had an immediate impact on Barbie’s performance, with the film earning an impressive $7.3 million during its second weekend. This drop was negligible, and the film’s total box office in China reached $25.5 million. This figure was provided by Artisan Gateway, a regional box office data company.
Related Post
Going forward, Barbie’s prospects look bright in China. The film has become a topic of conversation among Chinese audiences, a rare feat for Hollywood films in recent times. Chinese feminists, in particular, are flocking to see the film and urging others to do the same. They see it as a welcome change from the male-oriented patriotic action films that dominate the Chinese box office. Barbie’s themes, including feminism, toxic masculinity, and LGBTQ+ representation, have resonated with Chinese audiences.
Despite the positive reception, Barbie is not expected to have the same impact in China as it had in other international markets. Maoyan projects that the film will likely reach around $36 million in its China run. Nonetheless, the film’s performance in China is a testament to its ability to connect with audiences and generate buzz.
In other box office news in China, the historical fantasy epic Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms continued its successful run, earning an additional $57.6 million in its second week. The film has amassed a total of $155.5 million after two weeks of release. Comedy film One and Only debuted in second place with $36.2 million, while holdovers Chang An and Never Say Never secured third and fourth place with $22.4 million and $12 million, respectively.
Overall, Barbie is making strides in the Chinese market, defying the trend of recent Hollywood releases. Its positive reception among critics and audiences, combined with the increase in screen count, has propelled its success. The film’s exploration of feminist themes and inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters have also contributed to its appeal. While it may not match its international performance, Barbie’s impact in China showcases the power of a well-received film with resonant themes.
