JAPAN BOX OFFICE | Demon Slayer breaks all time record for OW

[Tower]

(C)2018 IRH Press

Weekend Actuals (10/20-21)
01 (01) ¥133,809,900 ($1.2 million), -20%, ¥429,029,450 ($3.9 million), The Laws of the Universe - Part 1 (Nikkatsu) WK2
02 (---) ¥120,000,000 ($1.1 million), 0, ¥158,874,900 ($1.4 million), Million Dollar Man (Toho) NEW
03 (02) ¥x76,164,800 ($677,000), -20%, ¥427,557,800 ($3.8 million), Every Day, A Good Day (Tokyo Theaters, Co.) WK2
04 (04) ¥x60,915,200 ($541,000), -32%, ¥2,221,696,800 ($19.8 million), Christopher Robin (Disney) WK6
05 (03) ¥x56,987,900 ($507,000), -37%, ¥247,037,800 ($2.2 million), The House with a Clock in Its Walls (Toho-Towa) WK2
06 (---) ¥x55,000,000 ($490,000), 0, ¥x55,000,000 ($490,000), Magical Girl Lyrical: Nanoha - Detonation (Shochiku) NEW
07 (06) ¥x52,025,800 ($463,000), -24%, ¥689,886,700 ($6.1 million), A Quiet Place (Toho-Towa) WK4
08 (05) ¥x51,359,880 ($457,000), -29%, ¥725,058,820 ($6.4 million), Natsume's Book of Friends (Aniplex) WK4
09 (---) ¥x51,300,000 ($457,000), N/A, ¥8,858,931,000 ($80.9 million), Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer (Toho) WK28
10 (10) ¥x51,292,300 ($456,000), +10%, ¥2,842,773,890 ($25.5 million), One Cut of the Dead (Asmik Ace) WK18

>The Laws of the Universe - Part 1 repeats atop the box office in its second weekend of release over the weakest weekend of 2018. Its second weekend hold is quite impressive since this is a fanbase driven film, and if it continues to hold like this in the coming weeks, it may actually reach the ¥1 billion (~$10 million) milestone.

>Million Dollar Man has to settle for second place, selling 89,000 admissions over the weekend frame across 299 screens; and 120,034 admissions since opening on Friday. This is pretty disappointing, but not surprising given the month. 

>Christopher Robin remains in the Top 5 in its sixth-weekend of release. Japan became its #1 overseas market last weekend, and should finish with about ¥2.5 billion ($23 million).

>Magical Girl Lyrical: Nanoha - Detonation came in well-below the previous film, and misses the Top 5. I'm not particularly familiar with the series, so perhaps the last film just had a strong novelty factor, but this debut looks very disappointing to me. Its weekend actual is a placeholder based on its weekend admissions ranking -- I'll update it when it's available.

>Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer reenters the Top 10 in its twenty-eighth weekend thanks to a 4DX showing expansion this weekend that'll last for the next three weeks. Its weekend actual is also a placeholder for now based on its weekend admissions ranking, and due to the how expensive 4D showings are, I expect it'll climb a couple spots when its actual is available (probably Top 5). Its cumulative total also suggests it earned a fair bit more than the placeholder figure, and this 4D expansion pretty much locks up a ¥9 billion ($82 million) total now. The growth of this long-running annual franchise has been incredible in recent years. 

And finally, while I'm not expecting Detective Conan to reclaim the 2018 crown from Code Blue, it is possible, especially if they decide to extend this three week expansion.

[Tower]

(C)2018 映画ＨＵＧっと！プリキュア製作委員会

Weekend Estimates (10/27-28)
01 (---) ¥375,000,000 ($3.3 million), 0, ¥375,000,000 ($3.3 million), Hugtto! Pretty Cure: All Stars Memories (Toei) NEW
02 (---) ¥100,000,000 ($890,000), 0, ¥125,000,000 ($1.1 million), The Traveling Cat Chronicles (Shochiku) NEW
03 (02) ¥x87,000,000 ($774,000), -27%, ¥375,000,000 ($3.3 million), Million Dollar Man (Toho) WK2
04 (01) ¥x83,000,000 ($738,000), -38%, ¥550,000,000 ($5.0 million), The Laws of the Universe - Part 1 (Nikkatsu) WK3
05 (03) ¥x73,000,000 ($649,000), -22%, ¥9,015,000,000 ($82.3 million), Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer (Toho) WK29
06 (04) ¥x56,000,000 ($498,000), -27%, ¥615,000,000 ($5.5 million), Every Day, A Good Day (Tokyo Theaters, Co.) WK3
07 (06) ¥x47,000,000 ($418,000), -23%, ¥2,315,000,000 ($20.6 million), Christopher Robin (Disney) WK7
08 (08) ¥x42,000,000 ($373,000), -19%, ¥775,000,000 ($6.9 million), A Quiet Place (Toho-Towa) WK5
09 (07) ¥x40,000,000 ($356,000), -30%, ¥325,000,000 ($2.9 million), The House with a Clock in Its Walls (Toho-Towa) WK3
10 (05) ¥x39,000,000 ($587,000), -39%, ¥175,000,000 ($1.6 million), Magical Girl Lyrical: Nanoha - Detonation (Shochiku) WK2 

>Hugtto! Pretty Cure: All Stars Memories saves the October box office from being a complete bore, and delivered a very, very impressive debut over the weekend. It even achieved the biggest opening weekend at the box office for a film since August. 

This crossover in the Precure franchise, which included 55 characters across the many seires', marks the 25th Anniversary release in the overall Pretty Cure film series, as well as celebrating the 15th Anniversary of the franchise itself. 

The overall franchise hasn't been making much of an impact at the box office in recent years, but this special event film more than doubled the average of the last dozen or so releases and is certainly near the top (maybe even #1) of the franchises' biggest opening weekends. When its actual is available tomorrow, I'll do some research to see how big the opening is compared to every other film in the franchise.

>Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer continues to play very well in its 4D expansion, and will likely spend another weekend in the Top 5 -- this is its 29th week of release and two weeks since its home video release. This is also its 17th non-consecutive weekend in the Top 10... It likely exceed the ¥9 billion milestone over the weekend, and is now on track to challenge Code Blue for the yearly crown, which it held earlier in the year. Once gain, it's incredible how much this once consistent annual film franchise has grown over the past few years.

[Tower]

(C)2018 映画ＨＵＧっと！プリキュア製作委員会

Weekend Actuals (10/27-28)
01 (---) ¥353,577,300 ($3.2 million), 0, ¥353,577,300 ($3.2 million), Hugtto! Pretty Cure: All Stars Memories (Toei) NEW
02 (---) ¥103,000,000 ($920,000), 0, ¥133,000,000 ($1.2 million), The Traveling Cat Chronicles (Shochiku) NEW
03 (02) ¥x84,853,000 ($758,000), -29%, ¥379,793,000 ($3.3 million), Million Dollar Man (Toho) WK2
04 (01) ¥x83,277,058 ($744,000), -38%, ¥565,355,408 ($5.1 million), The Laws of the Universe - Part 1 (Nikkatsu) WK3
05 (04) ¥x61,464,250 ($549,000), -19%, ¥647,499,650 ($5.8 million), Every Day, A Good Day (Tokyo Theaters, Co.) WK3
06 (03) ¥x61,209,300 ($547,000), -35%, ¥9,004,878,800 ($82.2 million), Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer (Toho) WK29
07 (06) ¥x45,344,300 ($405,000), -24%, ¥2,317,818,700 ($20.6 million), Christopher Robin (Disney) WK7
08 (08) ¥x40,480,900 ($362,000), -20%, ¥775,061,200 ($6.9 million), A Quiet Place (Toho-Towa) WK5
09 (07) ¥x39,063,500 ($349,000), -31%, ¥331,863,900 ($2.9 million), The House with a Clock in Its Walls (Toho-Towa) WK3
10 (05) ¥x37,281,700 ($333,000), -43%, ¥168,156,500 ($1.5 million), Magical Girl Lyrical: Nanoha - Detonation (Shochiku) WK2

>Hugtto! Pretty Cure: All Stars Memories saved the October box office from having no strong openers, and earned the biggest debut at the box office since August. 

The 25th film in the Precure film franchise which celebrates the franchise's 15th Anniversary sold an impressive 309,781 admissions over the weekend across 230 screens. This is the biggest debut in the long-running franchise by a considerable margin, besting the previous record held by, interestingly, the most recent film in the series from this past March by 56%. All the films in this franchise are very frontloaded, so expect a total near ¥1.5 billion (~$15 million). 

>The Cat Traveling Chronicle debuted in second place, selling 82,000 admissions over the weekend frame on 321 screens; and 107,000 admissions since opening on Friday. Again, nothing to really say here except that it's the standard low opening this time of the year. 

>Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer continues to play very well in its 4D expansion, achieving its 17th non-consecutive weekend in the Top 10 in its 29th weekend of release. It also exceeded the ¥9 billion milestone over the weekend, becoming the thirteenth animated film in history to reach the mark. The 4D expansion is scheduled to end next week, so I don't think it has enough in it to overtake Code Blue for the 2018 Yearly Crown, but let's see if Toho extends it given how successful the expansion has been.

Thankfully, October is about to come to a close, and while November isn't much stronger than October at the box office in Japan, it usually has one or two films that keep things interesting until December (one of the strongest months) arrives.

[James]

9 hours ago, Tower said:

(C)2018 映画ＨＵＧっと！プリキュア製作委員会

Weekend Actuals (10/27-28)
01 (---) ¥353,577,300 ($3.2 million), 0, ¥353,577,300 ($3.2 million), Hugtto! Pretty Cure: All Stars Memories (Toei) NEW
02 (---) ¥103,000,000 ($920,000), 0, ¥133,000,000 ($1.2 million), The Traveling Cat Chronicles (Shochiku) NEW
03 (02) ¥x84,853,000 ($758,000), -29%, ¥379,793,000 ($3.3 million), Million Dollar Man (Toho) WK2
04 (01) ¥x83,277,058 ($744,000), -38%, ¥565,355,408 ($5.1 million), The Laws of the Universe - Part 1 (Nikkatsu) WK3
05 (04) ¥x61,464,250 ($549,000), -19%, ¥647,499,650 ($5.8 million), Every Day, A Good Day (Tokyo Theaters, Co.) WK3
06 (03) ¥x61,209,300 ($547,000), -35%, ¥9,004,878,800 ($82.2 million), Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer (Toho) WK29
07 (06) ¥x45,344,300 ($405,000), -24%, ¥2,317,818,700 ($20.6 million), Christopher Robin (Disney) WK7
08 (08) ¥x40,480,900 ($362,000), -20%, ¥775,061,200 ($6.9 million), A Quiet Place (Toho-Towa) WK5
09 (07) ¥x39,063,500 ($349,000), -31%, ¥331,863,900 ($2.9 million), The House with a Clock in Its Walls (Toho-Towa) WK3
10 (05) ¥x37,281,700 ($333,000), -43%, ¥168,156,500 ($1.5 million), Magical Girl Lyrical: Nanoha - Detonation (Shochiku) WK2

>Hugtto! Pretty Cure: All Stars Memories saved the October box office from having no strong openers, and earned the biggest debut at the box office since August. 

The 25th film in the Precure film franchise which celebrates the franchise's 15th Anniversary sold an impressive 309,781 admissions over the weekend across 230 screens. This is the biggest debut in the long-running franchise by a considerable margin, besting the previous record held by, interestingly, the most recent film in the series from this past March by 56%. All the films in this franchise are very frontloaded, so expect a total near ¥1.5 billion (~$15 million). 

>The Cat Traveling Chronicle debuted in second place, selling 82,000 admissions over the weekend frame on 321 screens; and 107,000 admissions since opening on Friday. Again, nothing to really say here except that it's the standard low opening this time of the year. 

>Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer continues to play very well in its 4D expansion, achieving its 17th non-consecutive weekend in the Top 10 in its 29th weekend of release. It also exceeded the ¥9 billion milestone over the weekend, becoming the thirteenth animated film in history to reach the mark. The 4D expansion is scheduled to end next week, so I don't think it has enough in it to overtake Code Blue for the 2018 Yearly Crown, but let's see if Toho extends it given how successful the expansion has been.

Thankfully, October is about to come to a close, and while November isn't much stronger than October at the box office in Japan, it usually has one or two films that keep things interesting until December (one of the strongest months) arrives.

On IMDB it says that FB2 opens on Nov 23. What competition does it have? Do you think it can beat the first one?

[Tower]

On 10/30/2018 at 11:31 AM, James said:

On IMDB it says that FB2 opens on Nov 23. What competition does it have? Do you think it can beat the first one?

From Corpse:

 

Competition won't really be a factor since it's a fanbase driven film. I think it'll see a drop-off of ~15% or so, which was the consistent percentage that every Harry Potter film dropped from the previous entry (besides 7.2 increasing over 7.1).

Chamber of Secrets (-14.8%)
Prisoner of Azkaban (-20.8%)
Goblet of Fire (-19.7%)
Order of the Phoenix (-14.5%)
Half-Blood Prince (-14.9%)
Deathly Hallows Part 1 (-15.0%)
Deathly Hallows Part 2 (+42.2%)

Ignoring the final film (huge 3D boost, finale factor), that's an average decline of 16.6% with each new entry.

A ~15% decline from the original would give Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald a gross between ¥6-6.5 billion (~$55-60 million).

[Tower]

(C)&TM 2018 MARVEL

Weekend Forecast (11/03-04)
01 (---) ¥375,000,000 ($3.3 million), 0, ¥545,000,000 ($4.8 million), Venom (Sony) NEW
02 (01) ¥202,000,000 ($1.8 million), -43%, ¥650,000,000 ($5.8 million), Hugtto! Pretty Cure: All Stars Memories (Toei) WK2
03 (---) ¥150,000,000 ($1.3 million), 0, ¥200,000,000 ($1.8 million), Stolen Identity (Toho) NEW
04 (02) ¥x76,000,000 ($670,000), -26%, ¥315,000,000 ($2.8 million), The Traveling Cat Chronicles (Shochiku) WK2
05 (04) ¥x65,000,000 ($575,000), -22%, ¥665,000,000 ($6.0 million), The Laws of the Universe - Part 1 (Nikkatsu) WK4
06 (---) ¥x60,000,000 ($530,000), 0, ¥x90,000,000 ($800,000), The Antique (Fox/Kadokawa) NEW
07 (03) ¥x53,000,000 ($470,000), -37%, ¥510,000,000 ($4.5 million), Million Dollar Man (Toho) WK3
08 (---) ¥x50,000,000 ($440,000), 0, ¥x70,000,000 ($620,000), Space Battleship Yamato 2202: Resurrection Chapter (Shochiku) NEW
09 (05) ¥x43,000,000 ($380,000), -29%, ¥795,000,000 ($7.0 million), Every Day, A Good Day (Tokyo Theaters, Co.) WK4
10 (06) ¥x39,000,000 ($345,000), -36%, ¥9,100,000,000 ($83.0 million), Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer (Toho) WK30
11 (07) ¥x29,000,000 ($255,000), -35%, ¥2,380,000,000 ($21.2 million), Christopher Robin (Disney) WK8

Now that we've reached November, at least, we'll begin to see some more exciting releases. 

>Venom delivered a good first day on Friday, likely earning between ¥150-175 million ($1.3-1.5 million) or so for the day. This is a strong indicator that its weekend frame will come in above ¥300 million, and probably north of ¥350 million as well. I sort of want to say that ¥400 million could be in play, but there's probably going to be some frontloading to keep it around the upper-tier of non-Spider-Man/Avengers releases (I'll have the chart posted soon).

>Stolen Identity, while not looking to open particularly well, will surely satisfy Toho after a string of poor or mediocre debuts so far this fall. 

>Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer is aiming to achieve its 18th non-consecutive weekend in the Top 10 in its thirtieth-weekend of release, and its final week in its 4D expansion. It could fall just shy of the Top 10, but it seems more likely than not to make it. 

Note: Saturday is a National Holiday, Culture Day, but with it falling on a Saturday this year, it shouldn't have much of an impact on the box office.

[a2k]

Did SMALLFOOT bomb in Japan? Mojo shows this

Japan

WB

10/12/18

-

-

$96,000

10/21/18

 

[salvador-232]

26 minutes ago, a2k said:

Did SMALLFOOT bomb in Japan? Mojo shows this

Japan

WB

10/12/18

-

-

$96,000

10/21/18

 

It probably didn't get a wide release, Non-Disney/Illumination awestern animation tend to bomb on Japan so many studios don't give those movies a wide release. That also happened with Hotel Transylvania 3. 

[Tower]

(C)&TM 2018 MARVEL

Weekend Actuals (11/03-04)
01 (---) ¥439,035,300 ($3.9 million), 0, ¥569,152,400 ($5.0 million), Venom (Sony) NEW
02 (---) ¥234,000,000 ($2.1 million), 0, ¥301,486,500 ($2.7 million), Stolen Identity (Toho) NEW
03 (01) ¥197,354,600 ($1.7 million), -46%, ¥656,957,100 ($5.8 million), Hugtto! Pretty Cure: All Stars Memories (Toei) WK2
04 (04) ¥x65,276,750 ($577,000), -22%, ¥672,174,358 ($6.0 million), The Laws of the Universe - Part 1 (Nikkatsu) WK4
05 (02) ¥x63,724,600 ($563,000), -38%, ¥312,883,000 ($2.8 million), The Traveling Cat Chronicles (Shochiku) WK2
06 (---) ¥x60,000,000 ($530,000), 0, ¥x90,000,000 ($800,000), The Antique (Fox/Kadokawa) NEW
07 (03) ¥x46,477,000 ($411,000), -45%, ¥513,210,100 ($4.5 million), Million Dollar Man (Toho) WK3
08 (05) ¥x40,712,850 ($359,000), -34%, ¥813,351,500 ($7.2 million), Every Day, A Good Day (Tokyo Theaters, Co.) WK4
09 (06) ¥x40,634,700 ($345,000), -35%, ¥9,101,670,800 ($83.0 million), Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer (Toho) WK30
10 (09) ¥x24,999,900 ($221,000), -33%, ¥221,466,600 ($2.0 million), Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha - Detonation (Shochiku) WK3

>Venom debuted atop the box office in a big way, delivering the tenth biggest opening weekend in Marvel/DC history, only trailing the many Spider-Man and Avengers (including Civil War) films. The film sold an impressive 289,012 admissions over the weekend frame across 746 screens; and 396,989 admissions since opening on Friday.

This debut is an impressive 4% higher than The Amazing Spider-Man 2, and just 2% lower than Spider-Man: Homecoming. It's also the biggest opening weekend for a Sony release since, well, Spider-Man: Homecoming as well. We can expect a minimum gross of at least ¥2 billion (~$20 million), but a gross between ¥2.5-3 billion ($25-30 million) should be doable. 

>Stolen Identity opened in second place, and also surprised a bit by coming in comfortably above the ¥200 million mark. It sold a solid 169,000 admissions over the weekend frame on 315 screens; and 220,663 admissions since opening on Friday. Expect a total near ¥1.5 billion (~$15 million). 

>The Antique numbers remain an estimate, but I'll update when its actual is made available.

>Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer achieved its 18th non-consecutive weekend in the Top 10, and exceeded 6.82 million admissions on its 206th day in release. I'll have to check and see if Toho has decided to extend its 4D expansion, which was scheduled to end this upcoming Friday. Unless it receives an extended release that lasts a few more weeks, it won't be surpassing Code Blue to become the #1 film of 2018, but its success is remarkably impressive.

[a2k]

Venom is approx 340 OS-China-Japan (approx 345 including Japan's OW)

20 more from OS-China-Japan (after 10 OS-China-Japan weekend), 20 from Japan (including OW) and 125 from China give

340 + 20 + 20 + 125 = 505 OS

(215 Dom gives 720 WW)

Edited November 6, 2018 by a2k

[Tower]

(C)2018 Twentieth Century Fox

Weekend Forecast (11/10-11)
01 (---) ¥325,000,000 ($2.9 million), 0, ¥430,000,000 ($3.8 million), Bohemian Rhapsody (Fox) NEW
02 (01) ¥263,000,000 ($2.3 million), -40%, ¥1,175,000,000 ($10.3 million), Venom (Sony) WK2
03 (---) ¥225,000,000 ($2.0 million), 0, ¥270,000,000 ($2.4 million), You, I Love (Asmik Ace) NEW
04 (02) ¥178,000,000 ($1.6 million), -24%, ¥700,000,000 ($6.2 million), Stolen Identity (Toho) WK2
05 (03) ¥116,000,000 ($1.0 million), -41%, ¥800,000,000 ($7.1 million), Hugtto! Pretty Cure: All Stars Memories (Toei) WK3
06 (---) ¥100,000,000 ($880,000), 0, ¥125,000,000 ($1.1 million), Godzilla: The Planet Eater (Toho) NEW
07 (05) ¥x40,000,000 ($350,000),-37%, ¥400,000,000 ($3.6 million), The Traveling Cat Chronicles (Shochiku) WK3
08 (---) ¥x30,000,000 ($265,000), 0, ¥x30,000,000 ($265,000), Zoku Owarimonogatari (Aniplex) NEW
09 (07) ¥x28,000,000 ($245,000), -39%, ¥575,000,000 ($5.0 million), Million Dollar Man (Toho) WK4
10 (08) ¥x27,000,000 ($235,000), -32%, ¥900,000,000 ($8.0 million), Every Day, A Good Day (Tokyo Theaters, Co.) WK5

There is a lot going on this weekend, and I wouldn't be surprised if the bottom half of the Top 10 looks noticeably different on Sunday/Monday. The weekend has 24 theatrical releases, and 10 of those are playing wide enough to potentially make the Top 10. 

>Bohemian Rhapsody is likely to debut atop the box office after delivering a good first day yesterday and with its solid pre-sales going into the weekend frame. This is the sort of film that typically develops great legs, too, so expect a good run in the market. A debut around the forecast would probably allow it to reach ¥2-2.5 billion ($20-25 million).

>Venom isn't going to break the trend of frontloaded Marvel/DC films (excluding Spider-Man releases) it seems, but its second weekend will be on par with the standard opening weekend for the average Marvel/DC film. I'm expecting it to exceed the ¥2 billion (up to $20 million) milestone, and probably finish around ¥2.2/2.3 billion ($20 million+). It would be the 15th Marvel/DC film to reach ¥2 billion, and only the 5th to do outside of the Spider-Man and Avengers releases. 

>You, I Love has some impressive pre-sales that suggest it may debut in second place ahead of Venom, but being an Asmik Ace release, it probably doesn't have the necessary screens to do it. We'll see; and either way, it should end up as a welcomed success for Asmik Ace.

>Godzilla: The Planet Eater is the third and final film of Toho Animation's animated Godzilla film trilogy. Its first day came in about 13% ahead of the last film, but its weekend pre-sales are about on par with it. The second film missed the ¥100 million mark in its debut in May, but I'm going to predict this one just barely reaches it due to the finale factor.

[Tower]

(C)2018 Twentieth Century Fox

Weekend Estimates (11/10-11)
01 (---) ¥325,000,000 ($2.9 million), 0, ¥430,000,000 ($3.8 million), Bohemian Rhapsody (Fox) NEW
02 (01) ¥272,000,000 ($2.4 million), -38%, ¥1,180,000,000 ($10.4 million), Venom (Sony) WK2
03 (02) ¥189,000,000 ($1.6 million), -19%, ¥700,000,000 ($6.2 million), Stolen Identity (Toho) WK2
04 (---) ¥175,000,000 ($1.5 million), 0, ¥225,000,000 ($2.0 million), You, I Love (Asmik Ace) NEW
05 (03) ¥107,000,000 ($940,000), -46%, ¥790,000,000 ($7.0 million), Hugtto! Pretty Cure: All Stars Memories (Toei) WK3
06 (---) ¥x75,000,000 ($660,000), 0, ¥x95,000,000 ($835,000), Godzilla: The Planet Eater (Toho) NEW
07 (---) ¥x40,000,000 ($350,000), 0, ¥x40,000,000 ($350,000), Zoku Owarimonogatari (Aniplex) NEW
08 (05) ¥x38,000,000 ($335,000),-41%, ¥400,000,000 ($3.6 million), The Traveling Cat Chronicles (Shochiku) WK3
09 (---) ¥x30,000,000 ($265,000), 0, ¥x40,000,000 ($350,000), Johnny English Strikes Again (Toho-Towa) NEW
10 (---) ¥x25,000,000 ($220,000), 0, ¥x25,000,000 ($220,000), Anemone: Kokyoshihen Eureka Seven Hi-Evolution (Showgate) NEW

Pretty busy this evening to type up an analysis, but I'll have one tomorrow with the weekend actuals.  Overall, an "expected" weekend that saw a number of limited or barely wide releases crack the Top 10

[Olive]

Bohemian Rhapsody 487M 3-DAY

[Tower]

(C)2018 Twentieth Century Fox

Weekend Actuals (11/10-11)
01 (---) ¥354,211,000 ($3.2 million), 0, ¥486,981,900 ($4.3 million), Bohemian Rhapsody (Fox) NEW
02 (01) ¥288,701,800 ($2.5 million), -34%, ¥1,238,347,700 ($10.9 million), Venom (Sony) WK2
03 (02) ¥194,122,700 ($1.7 million), -17%, ¥751,855,500 ($6.6 million), Stolen Identity (Toho) WK2
04 (---) ¥169,971,100 ($1.5 million), 0, ¥218,363,700 ($2.0 million), You, I Love (Asmik Ace) NEW
05 (03) ¥114,491,900 ($1.0 million), -46%, ¥817,855,400 ($7.2 million), Hugtto! Pretty Cure: All Stars Memories (Toei) WK3
06 (---) ¥x75,000,000 ($660,000), 0, ¥102,802,500 ($901,000), Godzilla: The Planet Eater (Toho) NEW
07 (---) ¥x40,000,000 ($350,000), 0, ¥x40,000,000 ($350,000), Zoku Owarimonogatari (Aniplex) NEW
08 (05) ¥x38,357,300 ($336,000),-40%, ¥409,063,400 ($3.7 million), The Traveling Cat Chronicles (Shochiku) WK3
09 (---) ¥x30,000,000 ($265,000), 0, ¥x30,000,000 ($265,000), Anemone: Kokyoshihen Eureka Seven Hi-Evolution (Showgate) NEW
10 (---) ¥x30,000,000 ($265,000), 0, ¥x40,000,000 ($350,000), Johnny English Strikes Again (Toho-Towa) NEW

>Bohemian Rhapsody debuted atop the box office, delivering quite the impressive start, selling 245,258 admissions over the weekend frame across 469 screens; and 338,299 admissions since Friday. It became Fox's second biggest debut of the year, opening just 9% below The Greatest Showman. I don't believe the Queen biopic will come anywhere near the legs of The Greatest Showman, but it'll likely develop strong legs given the genre, so I'd expect a total between ¥2.5-3 billion ($25-30 million) for now.

>Venom held quite well in its sophomore frame, and managed one of the stronger second weekend holds for a Marvel/DC film which tend to drop around 40% or more. I have it finishing just shy of ¥2.5 billion ($20-25 million). It'll become the 14th Marvel/DC film to exceed ¥2 billion milestone, but only the 4th to do so that doesn't include Spider-Man or the Avengers.

>Stolen Identity really impressed in its second weekend, declining just 17%. It's very likely to exceed the ¥1.5 billion ($15 million) mark now, and while pretty difficult, could also approach the ¥2 billion (~$20 million) milestone. This is a much welcomed showing so far for Toho after their usual weak performances throughout September and October. 

>You, I Love settles for fourth place, but certainly delivered for Asmik Ace with a solid debut, selling 142,930 admissions over the weekend across 217 screens; and 181,849. This opening should get it above the ¥1 billion (~$10 million) milestone.

>Detective Conan: Zero the Enforcer concluded its 30-week run following its three week 4D expansion. 

Note: The weekend numbers for Godzilla (its 3-day total is available above, though, and it sold 72,973 admissions in 3 days, too), Zoku Owarimonogatari, Anemone, and Johnny English remain estimates. All four of these films are either limited or almost limited releases, and unfortunately actuals come in a day or two later for them. I'll update them when they're available. Their rankings above are based on their real weekend ranking in terms of admissions.

[Brainbug]

Question: With Pokemon and especially Pikachu beeing a central part of Japanese pop culture, could Detective Pikachu explode there, if its well received?

[Premium George]

2 minutes ago, Brainbug said:

Question: With Pokemon and especially Pikachu beeing a central part of Japanese pop culture, could Detective Pikachu explode there, if its well received?

Pokemon is definitely much bigger but power rangers, Godzilla amd other Japanese properties didn't do that hot. And japan have their own taste, maybe they don't like pikachu being voiced by deadpool.

Jk, it will do half a billion dollars here.

[KP1025]

20 minutes ago, Brainbug said:

Question: With Pokemon and especially Pikachu beeing a central part of Japanese pop culture, could Detective Pikachu explode there, if its well received?

 

This was what Corpse had to say about Detective Pikachu's prospects in Japan:

 

Quote

My initial thoughts are that it's unlikely to become a big success. It doesn't have a film page on any major Japanese movie site yet, nor does it have a release date (not even a release frame). Nintendo/The Pokemon Company (involved with this film) won't let Warner Bros. release it in the Summer since a new Pokemon film opens every July, so we'll be looking at a September release at the earliest in Japan, but September-November is generally a weak time for the box-office. Unless... there's a surprise announcement in CoroCoro later this year saying it'll be released in Japan first (say in April). That'd be a short time to market the film, but it's not uncommon for films to be announced in Japan less than 6 months before the release date.

I also don't know who this film will be appealing to in Japan, exactly. In the U.S., it will easily benefit from nostalgia, but in Japan that won't be the case. I don't really see young children, Pokemon's overwhelming audience in Japan, being any more interested in this than they are watching the newest weekly episode in the morning or going to see the new movie every July. The live-action and night/dark-setting this film seems to occur in could be a turn-off for them as well. So, will it appeal to teens/adults? Maybe? We'll just have to wait and see. 

Pikachu actually talking will probably come across as bizarre and "Western", too, especially since Pikachu has an adult voice. I could see there being a theatrical version that alters this somehow, beyond just dubbing it. I know Pikachu talking is a major selling point of the film, as it was with the video game, but the Detective Pikachu video game didn't do well in Japan, especially compared to the main series; and its sales were way below the many Pokemon spin-off titles, too.

Japanese audiences can also be very, very critical and dismissive of Hollywood adapting domestic material, and the vast majority of Hollywood films based on Japanese properties bomb. Nintendo and The Pokemon Company are involved, though, so that should at least help any immediate displeasure. 

One thing I do know is: This film will be way overpredicted in Japan.

 

Massive hits in Japan are rarely expected. Most of the biggest films in the market [were] surprise uber-blockbusters or phenomena.

The fact that it has no release date yet, and has literally no presence on Japan's movie websites (it has no film page and is unsearchable) is worrisome. I don't get the feeling that this film was made necessarily with Japanese audiences in mind. And again, unless there's a surprise announcement in next month's CoroCoro magazine saying the film will be released in Japan before anywhere else (a good strategy), we're probably looking at a release in the market next Fall/Winter. 

And I believe that many are going to incorrectly presume that because it's Pokemon, and the first live-action film in the franchise, that it'll be a phenomenon in its country of origin. That's... not usually the case, though, and there are many examples

 

...

 

Japanese audiences just have little or no interest in Hollywood adaptations or remakes of their properties, so Detective Pikachu will have to overcome this stigma.

 

[Valonqar]

18 minutes ago, Premium George said:

Pokemon is definitely much bigger but power rangers, Godzilla amd other Japanese properties didn't do that hot. And japan have their own taste, maybe they don't like pikachu being voiced by deadpool.

Jk, it will do half a billion dollars here.

Isn't Pikachu going to to be voiced by a Japanese actor anyway? They won't hear Deadpool's voice. They don't even have to use the actor who voices Deadpool in Japan. 

 

That said, I agree that Japan likely won't care for yet another Hollywood version of Japanese IP. 

[Tower]

(C)2018 Twentieth Century Fox

Weekend Actuals (11/17-18)
01 (01) ¥388,507,300 ($3.4 million), +10%, ¥1,321,587,500 ($11.7 million), Bohemian Rhapsody (Fox) WK2
02 (02) ¥192,859,700 ($1.7 million), -33%, ¥1,655,049,800 ($14.6 million), Venom (Sony) WK3
03 (03) ¥152,520,700 ($1.4 million), -22%, ¥1,110,774,600 ($9.8 million), Stolen Identity (Toho) WK3
04 (---) ¥148,000,000 ($1.3 million), 0, ¥195,984,600 ($1.7 million), The House Where the Mermaid Sleeps (Shochiku) NEW
05 (04) ¥x99,410,100 ($882,000), -41%, ¥434,451,900 ($3.9 million), You, I Love (Asmik Ace) WK2
06 (05) ¥x79,555,200 ($705,000), -30%, ¥934,855,400 ($8.3 million), Hugtto! Pretty Cure: All Stars Memories (Toei) WK4
07 (---) ¥x50,000,000 ($445.000), 0, ¥x80,000,000 ($710,000), BTS - Burn the Stage: The Movie (Toho Video Division) NEW
08 (06) ¥x28,085,200 ($249,000), -61%, ¥171,859,000 ($1.5 million), Godzilla: The Planet Eater (Toho) WK2
09 (07) ¥x23,860,600 ($212,000), -53%, ¥104,588,320 ($927,000), Zoku Owarimonogatari (Aniplex) WK2
10 (08) ¥x22,333,600 ($198,000),-42%, ¥469,456,100 ($4.2 million), The Traveling Cat Chronicles (Shochiku) WK4

>Bohemian Rhapsody easily claim its second weekend atop the box office, and delivered an incredible double-digit increase in the process. I had little doubt the film would perform well and develop great legs, but it seems clear it's going to go beyond just having a great run. It'll likely be several weeks before we get a clearer picture of where it may be heading, but I believe we can expect a gross of at least ¥4 billion ($35 million+) and wouldn't be surprised if I up that as soon as next week. Its audience reception is pretty incredible (averaging 4.5+/5 on most sites).

>Venom continues to hold better than the average Marvel/DC film and has assured itself a gross north of ¥2 billion, and it may be able to climb closer to ¥2.5 billion (~$22/23 million). Definitely a good performance in the market.

>Stolen Identity is proving to be a nice surprise with its holds as well, and will have no problem exceeding ¥1.5 billion (~$15 million) and probably finish around ¥1.75 billion (~$16 million). Toho doesn't have a strong slate of films this Fall/Winter, so any overperformance, even if its minor, will certainly be welcomed for them (and the box office).

>The House Where the Mermaid Sleeps settles for fourth place, selling a decent 112,933 admissions over the weekend frame across 325 screens; and 152,206 admissions since Friday. 

>Hugtto! Pretty Cure: All Stars Memories has been quite frontloaded as expected, but thanks to its record franchise opening weekend, it's now edging closer and closer to the ¥1 billion (~$10 million) milestone and may exceed the mark next weekend. This isn't anything remarkable on its own, but it will be the first film in a few years to reach the milestone.

>BTS - Burn the Stage: The Movie hasn't had any figures released yet, so its gross is currently an estimate based on its weekend admissions ranking; will be updated when the actual is released in a few days.

[VENOM]

Not bad Japan, now get us over 20 million