The Japanese animated film “The First Slam Dunk” has taken a strong early lead at the mainland China box office. It picked up $13.8 million on its opening day.
Films mostly release in China on Fridays. Also, the Japanese hit was given previews on Wednesday and a full-court release on Thursday. It is starting with widespread midnight screenings.
Data from local firm Ent Group reveals that the film earned $3.16 million from some 14,000 preview screenings on opening day. It followed with $13.8 million from 184,000 screening sessions. That gave it a $17 million cumulative and positioned it at the top of the box office chart.
‘The First Slam Dunk’ Wins Japan Academy Prize, ‘Nayola’ at Kaboom, ITFS Trailer
The Japan Academy Film Prize Association announced the winners of the 46th annual Japan Academy Film Prizes in Tokyo on Friday. Toei’s blockbuster basketball feature The First Slam Dunk was awarded Anime of the Year. It is winning out over fellow finalists Inu-oh. Lonely Castle in the Mirror, One Piece Film Red and Suzume. Directed by Takehiko Inoue, creator of the popular Slam Dunk manga, the film opened at No. 1 at the Japanese box office and has so far totted up over $120 million in select territories.
How did The First Slam Dunk do at the Japanese box office?
“The First Slam Dunk” dropped in Japanese cineplexes on December 3, 2022. According to Anime News Network, there were 40 IMAX screenings across the country, as well as 34 Dolby Atmos screenings. A total of 847,000 tickets people bought. Also, the anime made a total of $9,647,895 at its opening weekend, per Box Office Mojo. “The First Slam Dunk ” got a Dolby Cinema release on December 10. Also, it is bringing the movie to a wider audience. However, in the month following its wide release, the film raked in $72,795,877 across Japan. “‘The First Slam Dunk’ has dethroned Makoto Shinkai’s ‘Suzume no Hajimari’ in a weekend performance. Now resting in second place in its fourth weekend,” Hypebeast confirmed.
The First Slam Dunk makes history as the highest-grossing anime film in South Korea
However, The First Slam Dunk, the latest anime film is the iconic basketball manga series. Slam Dunk by Takehiko Inoue, has made history by becoming the highest-grossing anime film of all time in South Korea. The film sold a whopping 3.82 million tickets, surpassing the earnings of Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name. With earnings of over $30 million, it is a slam-dunk success in Korea.
Therefore, the anime film premiered in South Korea on January 4, 2022, and quickly became a box-office hit. It has ranked number one in its fourth weekend ahead of Avatar: The Way of Water. In its ninth weekend, the film ranked third, earning an equivalent of $940,062 from Friday to Sunday. It came on 722 screens and sold a total of 114,806 tickets. With a cumulative total of 3,818,000 tickets sold and earnings of over $30 million. Also, it is now the highest-grossing anime film in South Korea.
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