China Box Office: ‘Once Upon a Time in the Middle East’ Stays on Top as ‘V’ Debuts in Second

MusicNewsletter newsroom brief · 2h ago · 1 min read · via variety.com

Dirty Monkeys’ war comedy-drama “Once Upon a Time in the Middle East” held onto the No. 1 position at the mainland China box office during the Aug. 21–23 weekend, taking in RMB298.8 million ($43.9 million) in its second weekend of release, according to data from Artisan Gateway.

The success of "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East" at the China box office is notable, especially given the crowded market and diverse range of films typically released in the country. The film's ability to hold onto the top spot in its second weekend suggests that it has resonated with Chinese audiences, who are clearly enjoying the war comedy-drama.

The film's performance also speaks to the growing appetite for domestic productions in China, which have been increasingly competing with Hollywood imports for box office share. Dirty Monkeys, the production company behind the film, is likely to see a boost in profile and influence as a result of this success. Meanwhile, the debut of "V" in second place suggests that the market is still open to new titles, and that audiences are eager to explore different genres and stories.

Looking ahead, it's worth watching to see how "Once Upon a Time in the Middle East" continues to perform in the coming weeks, and whether it can sustain its momentum over the long term. Additionally, music fans may be interested to see if the film's soundtrack gains traction, or if other music-related productions start to gain traction at the box office. With the China box office continuing to be a key player in the global film industry, all eyes will be on the country's upcoming releases and how they perform with domestic audiences.

Originally reported by variety.com. MusicNewsletter adds analysis for culture, style & media readers.

Originally reported by variety.com. MusicNewsletter curates and briefs the culture, style & media stories that matter. Our editorial policy →
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