The Stunning Success of Venom: The Last Dance in China
The third installment in the
Venom series,
Venom: The Last Dance, has captivated audiences in China, achieving remarkable box office numbers. The film opened midweek and maintained a strong momentum through the weekend, securing an impressive total of $45.9 million over five days. By Sunday alone, it had collected $31.1 million, proving its place as one of the top Hollywood films this year in the Chinese market.
An Impressive Five-Day Opening
According to data analytics firm Artisan Gateway,
Venom: The Last Dance topped China’s box office charts daily, reaching its peak on Saturday with over 150,000 screenings and more than $14 million in ticket sales. The film’s widespread appeal made it the highest-grossing Hollywood superhero release in China since 2019’s
Spider-Man: Far From Home.
Record-Breaking Earnings on Premium Screens
Premium screen provider IMAX contributed to the film’s record with $6 million of the total revenue, making up nearly 14% of the Chinese box office take.
Venom: The Last Dance now holds the second-highest Hollywood opening of 2024 in China, just behind
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, which earned $44.6 million in its first weekend.
Resonating with Chinese Audiences
Hollywood movies have faced challenges in China over the past few years, but
Venom: The Last Dance managed to break through, earning positive feedback for its character depth and emotional story arcs. This emphasis on character emotions, praised by local media, struck a chord with audiences, who were drawn to its portrayal of an anti-hero with layers of complexity.
The Venom Franchise’s Strong History in China
This success builds on the popularity of the
Venom franchise in China, where the first film earned $262 million in 2018, surpassing its North American earnings. Although the sequel,
Venom: Let There Be Carnage, faced release delays due to pandemic restrictions, this latest film has reaffirmed the series’ popularity.
Other Films Competing at China’s Box Office While Venom:
The Last Dance dominated the box office, other films also garnered attention. In second place was the suspense drama
The Unseen Sister, a tale of family estrangement and mystery, earning $10 million. Directed by the critically acclaimed Midi Z, this film is set to make its international debut at the Tokyo International Film Festival.
Meanwhile,
The Volunteers: The Battle of Life and Death, a patriotic war drama, remained popular, grossing $4.6 million in its fourth weekend, while the re-released
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban earned $4.1 million, showcasing China’s enduring love for the franchise.
Venom: The Last Dance has demonstrated the power of relatable storytelling and complex characters to draw audiences even in challenging markets. As Chinese viewers continue to appreciate unique Hollywood offerings, the film’s success could pave the way for more cross-cultural releases that resonate on both an emotional and cinematic level.
