China Box Office: ‘Barbie’ Opens in Fifth Place With $8 Million
variety.comPatrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief While “Barbie” was romping to box office records in North American and scoring strongly in many international territories, the pink phenomenon could muster only fifth place in China, the world’s second largest movie market, on its opening weekend. “Barbie” managed $8.2 million in its opening three days, according to data from consultancy firm Artisan Gateway.
Local box office sources show the film trapped in that position on all three days of the weekend session, as the locally-produced titles jostled for leadership and swapped positions.
Somewhat encouragingly, the daily score for “Barbie” had increased by Sunday as it was given more screening sessions by Chinese exhibitors. “Barbie” joins a growing list of Hollywood films that have disappointed at the mainland Chinese box office this year.
Others include “The Little Mermaid,” “Indiana Jones” and “Fast X.” Hollywood titles are facing fewer structural impediments in China (import and certification delays) that they did in recent years.
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