As someone who has always been captivated by the magic of cinema and its ability to transport us to different worlds, I couldn’t help but be thrilled with the incredible success of this past weekend’s box office in China! Being a film enthusiast who grew up watching anime and adores Asian cinema, I was particularly excited about the debut of “Detective Conan: Crossroad in the Ancient Capital” in the Middle Kingdom.

However, it wasn’t just nostalgia that made my heart race; the domestic productions like “Big World,” “Octopus With Broken Arms,” and “The Prosecutor” truly showcased the depth and talent of Chinese filmmakers and actors. I was particularly moved by “Big World,” a heartwarming tale about a young man with cerebral palsy that won the audience award at the Tokyo International Film Festival this year.

It’s always inspiring to witness stories that celebrate diversity and challenge societal norms, and “Big World” is a testament to that. I can’t wait to see more films like this that push boundaries and remind us of the power of empathy and understanding.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that the overall box office grossed an impressive $68.3 million, contributing to a 2024 total of $5.93 billion. It’s a small reminder that even in these trying times, we can still find solace and joy in the simple act of going to the movies.

And as I sit here reflecting on this wonderful weekend at the cinema, I can’t help but chuckle at the irony – it seems that even though life may give us lemons, we can always make lemonade (or in this case, popcorn!) and enjoy a great movie!

2024’s last weekend saw a notable surge at the Chinese box office, with “Big World” from Gengxi Pictures earning an impressive $28.2 million (equivalent to RMB200 million) as per figures from the consulting company Artisan Gateway.

Under the guidance of director Yang Lina, the movie features Jackson Yee in the role of Chunhu, a young individual living with cerebral palsy who helps his elderly grandmother, played by Diana Lin, in a stage production, all while studying for college entrance exams. This year, it was honored with the Audience Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival.

Coming in second place, the film “Octopus With Broken Arms,” distributed by As One Production, raked in $21.6 million during its initial two-day run. Directed by Jacky Gan, it stars Xiao Yang as Zheng Bingrui, a prosperous entrepreneur whose daughter Tingting gets kidnapped at a holiday gathering. Tong Liya assumes the role of Tingting’s teacher, Li Huiping, while Duan Yihong plays detective Zhang Jingxian who heads the investigation into the crime. The storyline revolves around Zheng and Li as they deal with ransom demands, gradually uncovering covert details about the kidnapping.

“Detective Conan: Crossroads in the Ancient City,” a popular installment from the Japanese anime film series, first screened in China in 2003, grossing $4.6 million. Directed by Kenji Kodama, this animated movie features Detective Conan Edogawa and Heiji Hattori joining forces to solve a mystery surrounding the theft of a Healing Buddha statue while unmasking Heiji’s first love. The movie is helmed by director Kenji Kodama, who leads Conan and Heiji on their mission in Kyoto. The voice actors include Minami Takayama, Kappei Yamaguchi, and Wakana Yamazaki.

As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but share my excitement about “The Prosecutor,” the gripping legal thriller from Mandarin Motion Pictures that has been making waves recently. Over the weekend, this masterpiece brought in an impressive $4 million, bringing its total earnings since release to a staggering $27.7 million!

Directed by none other than the legendary Donnie Yen, who also graces the screen alongside Julian Cheung, Michael Hui, Francis Ng, and MC Cheung Tin-fu, this film is a must-watch for any fan of legal dramas. The story revolves around a dedicated prosecutor who courageously risks his life and career to help a defendant wrongfully accused, creating a suspenseful journey that leaves viewers on the edge of their seats.

In the past week, “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which was previously the top-ranked film, fell to fifth position during its second weekend, earning a revenue of approximately $2.4 million. This brings its overall earnings up to around $12.1 million.

Or more informally:

After being number one last week, “Mufasa: The Lion King” slipped down to the fifth spot in its second weekend, making about $2.4 million. Its total earnings now stand at around $12.1 million.

Over the weekend, the box office collected a grand total of $68.3 million, which added up to a staggering $5.93 billion for 2024 as a whole. However, this figure represents a decrease of 21.5% compared to 2023’s earnings. Despite this drop, the weekend’s impressive performance served as a hopeful conclusion to the year.

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2024-12-30 07:46