Local Market Share Craters with as Omicron Hold New Releases at Bay

After a slow few weeks at the box office, business popped 40% week-on-week, despite new record daily COVID cases, largely thanks to the return of the Spider-Man to the charts, albeit in a different role. Admissions stood at 504,000 with just 14% of those going to local titles.

Tom Holland was back on screens, this time in the video game adaptation Uncharted, which was shot by longtime Park Chanwook collaborator Chung Chunghoon. The film had a comfortable lead in first place, drawing 252,000 viewers (USD 2.12 million) over the weekend, a 53% share of all sales. Over five days, the film has filled 365,000 seats (USD 3 million).

The Japanese animation Jujutsu Kaisen: Zero kicked off its run in second place with 90,000 tickets (USD 802,000) sold. Its total since its Wednesday launch stood at 150,000 admissions (USD 1.29 million).

Slowing 50% and dropping one more spot during its fourth weekend was the local Lunar New Year title The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure. 33,000 seats (USD 157,000) were occupied over the weekend, boosting the swashbuckling sequel’s total audience count to 1.28 million (USD 10.16 million) to date.

Crashing three spots and 68% during its sophomore frame was the Kenneth Branagh-directed Agatha Christie adaptation Death on the Nile. 30,000 tickets (USD 247,000) were sold over the weekend, pushing its haul to 205,000 admissions (USD 1.66 million).

The local political drama Kingmaker slowed 56% during its fourth weekend as it brought in another 21,000 viewers (USD 121,000). To date, the Byun Sunghyun film has secured 750,000 entries (USD 6 million).

While The Batman is currently leading the reservations chart, it doesn’t come out until next week, leaving the door open for Uncharted to likely repeat at the top of the charts. Other new releases adding to the mix will include the American film Antebellum and the local drama SERVE THE PEOPLE from director Jang Cheolsoo.