Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ Nears $60 Million Milestone in China

Christopher Nolan’s historical blockbuster, “Oppenheimer,
Despite a somewhat subdued weekend for moviegoing in China, Christopher Nolan’s historical blockbuster, “Oppenheimer,” continues its impressive run at the Chinese box office. Here’s the latest update on its remarkable journey.
Impressive Earnings Continue
Over the weekend, “Oppenheimer,” backed by Universal Pictures, added another $2.5 million to its already impressive earnings in China, bringing its total to a substantial $58.1 million, according to data from box office tracker Artisan Gateway.
Universal’s Oppenheimer has passed the $600M international mark.
The film grossed an estimated $6.9M internationally this weekend. Estimated international total stands at $604.8M, estimated global total stands at $926.0M.#Oppenheimer #BoxOffice pic.twitter.com/js8INjXP4d
— BoxOfficeReport.com (@BORReport) September 24, 2023
Facing Local and Global Competition
“Oppenheimer” secured the fourth spot in the weekend box office rankings, facing tough competition from local crime thriller “Dust to Dust,” Millennium Pictures’ action franchise misfire “Expend4bles,” and the Chinese comedy blockbuster “No More Bets.”
Imax Success
The film’s success extends to Imax theaters in China, where it earned an impressive $740,000 over the weekend. This contribution brings its total earnings in the Imax format to a remarkable $17 million, accounting for 30 percent of its nationwide cumulative earnings to date.
Leveraging Christopher Nolan’s Popularity
Christopher Nolan’s strong following in China has undeniably played a significant role in “Oppenheimer’s” success. Universal leveraged his dedicated fan base through a well-received pre-release promotional visit to Beijing by the director in late August.
‘Oppenheimer’ in Nolan’s Box Office Legacy
“Oppenheimer” now holds a significant place in Christopher Nolan’s filmography in terms of box office earnings in China. It ranks alongside his other successful titles such as “Interstellar,” “Inception,” “Tenet,” “Dark Knight Rises,” and “Dunkirk.”
U.S. Films in China in 2023
As of now, “Oppenheimer” stands as the fourth-largest U.S. film release in China for 2023, trailing behind “Fast X,” “Meg 2: The Trench,” and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.”
Success of ‘Dust to Dust’
The weekend’s top title, “Dust to Dust,” directed by Jonathan Li, earned an impressive $7.6 million, showcasing Li’s successful transition from assistant director to feature filmmaker.
Struggles of ‘Expend4bles’
Sylvester Stallone’s “Expend4bles” faced disappointment both in the Chinese and global markets, with a China total of $19.4 million, significantly lower than its predecessors in the “Expendables” franchise.
Read More : China Box Office Report: ‘Expendables 4’ Dominates with $11 Million Debut
Continued Dominance of ‘No More Bets’
The crime thriller sensation “No More Bets” maintained its strong presence in the weekend box office, adding $2.7 million to its staggering total of $531.7 million since its release on August 8.
Underperformance of ‘A Haunting in Venice’
20th Century’s “A Haunting in Venice,” starring Kenneth Branagh, underperformed in China, failing to secure a spot in the top five over the weekend and earning only about $5 million.
Upcoming Releases in China
Stay tuned for Paramount’s “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie,” the sole U.S. release hitting Chinese screens next Friday. It will face competition from several new Chinese titles, including Herman Yau’s and Andy Lau’s action tentpole “Operation Moscow.”
Also Read : Expend4bles: Explosive Previews Earn $750,000
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