Japanese anime master Hayao Miyazaki's Oscar-winning film, The Boy and the Heron, has made a remarkable impact at the box office in China. The Studio Ghibli production debuted in China and quickly became a standout success, surpassing other major releases in the region.
On its opening day, The Boy and the Heron raked in an impressive $13.7 million, outshining the previous box-office leader, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. The following day, the film set a new record for the highest single-day performance by a non-Chinese animated film, earning $23.7 million.
The strategic release of The Boy and the Heron during China's Qingming public holiday proved to be a smart move, as families flocked to theaters to enjoy the film together. This holiday has become a significant date on the Chinese film calendar, attracting a large audience for movie screenings.
Despite facing competition from local titles like Dwelling by the West Lake, The Boy and the Heron continued to dominate the box office. Industry experts predict that the film could surpass $105 million in earnings in China, making it Miyazaki's highest-grossing film in the country.
Internationally, The Boy and the Heron has also seen success, with strong performances in North America and Japan. In North America, the film achieved Studio Ghibli's best showing ever, grossing $46.6 million. In Japan, the film earned $61 million, further solidifying its popularity.
Chinese audiences have shown a growing preference for Japanese anime in recent years, with films like Suzume and The First Slam Dunk also enjoying significant box-office success. This trend indicates a shift towards Japanese anime as a favored international film category among Chinese moviegoers.
