Dec 19, 2016

"Your Name" will be the No. 1 Japanese movie in history in China

In took just a little over two weeks for Makoto Shinkai's Your Name to beocome the highest-grossing Japanese film ever released in China.

Your Name's Chinese gross-to-date of about US$78 million is second only to the film's box office of $180+ million in its native Japan. The record, previously held by Stand By Me Doraemon, has prompted articles by pundits trying to explain the film's popularity in China. Its success is especially striking against the backdrop of the rocky relationship between China and Japan, as explained by Japan Today:

Globally, Your Name has now grossed $276 million, putting it within striking distance of the $289.1 million global total of Spirited Away. Shinkai's film will open in France on December 28, and in South Korea on January 4, with a yet-to-be-announced U.S. release date by Funimation in 2017.

It's difficult to find data on the highest-earning Japanese films in terms of global gross, but I haven't found anything higher than Spirited Away's $289m total. If that is indeed the highest-grossing global release, then Your Name could soon become the highest-grossing Japanese film of all-time (Spirited Away would still remain No. 1 in Japan since it made the bulk of its money at home).