China Focus: "Venom" boosts Chinese box office as hopes rise for sustained market heat

by Xinhua writer Zhang Yunlong

BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- "I never thought Venom was anything more than a villain, but this film moved me to tears," one Weibo user remarked, reflecting on the unexpectedly strong response to "Venom: The Last Dance."

The latest installment in Sony's "Venom" franchise debuted in China on Oct. 23, striking an emotional chord with local audiences. Maroon 5's "Memories" scored the film's reflective moments, adding to its impact on moviegoers.

Opening during what is typically a quiet period for China's box office -- between the National Day holiday in early October and the end-of-year moviegoing period, which begins in late November -- "Venom: The Last Dance" defied seasonal expectations and drove total box office revenue for Oct. 21-27 to 620 million yuan (about 87 million U.S. dollars). According to ticketing platform Maoyan, "Venom: The Last Dance" alone raked in 326 million yuan over the course of the week, more than 50 percent of the overall figure.

Maoyan projects the film to end its China box office run with over 580 million yuan in earnings.

Sony Pictures took to Chinese social media to celebrate the film's success, highlighting its impressive five-day run at the top of China's daily box office -- a rare feat for Hollywood releases in recent years.

While the influence of Hollywood films has generally waned in China compared to a decade ago, the success of "Venom" suggests certain U.S. franchise titles can still capture a diverse range of viewers.

This can also be seen in the mixed reception other recent Hollywood releases have received in China. "Joker: Folie à Deux," which premiered on Oct. 16, hasn't matched the box office impact of its 2019 predecessor but has nevertheless found an audience in fans of more complex narratives. While some viewers have found the sequel's introspective tone to be a departure from the first installment, others have lauded it as a bold, deconstructed take on the Joker mythos.

The real test now is whether "Venom" can sustain its momentum through the schedule of upcoming releases.

Dong Wenxin, a film critic and cinema manager, has noted the surprising strength of the post-holiday period, which is often considered a cold season for the box office. "Is this truly a cold season?" Dong asked, noting that strong releases can keep theaters busy even in typically quiet months.

She expressed hope that "Cesium Fallout," a disaster film starring Hong Kong veteran actor Andy Lau and set for release on Nov. 1, could be a candidate to sustain the market heat following "Venom."

Hollywood's broader performance in China this year has been mixed, with "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire" and "Alien: Romulus" currently standing as the only two U.S. films in the annual top 12, grossing close to 960 million and 790 million yuan, respectively.

Industry watchers are now setting their sights on the end-of-year moviegoing period, which begins on Nov. 22, with Dwayne Johnson's "Red One" scheduled to arrive in theaters on Nov. 8.

Johnson's name recognition in China, cemented by his role in the "Fast & Furious" film series, has generated widespread anticipation for "Red One." "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw," the last installment in the blockbuster franchise to feature the U.S. actor, earned 1.4 billion yuan in China in 2019.

Despite no longer being a guaranteed box office draw, Hollywood titles still provide the variety that keeps China's theatrical landscape dynamic. As 2024 enters its final quarter, industry insiders are cautiously optimistic that a well-curated slate can maintain momentum, offering a promising close to the year.

To date, China's 2024 box office has totaled 38.3 billion yuan -- a 22 percent drop from the same period last year, underscoring the high stakes for Hollywood and domestic releases alike in the months ahead. ■