Sales Felt Despite New DC Tentpole

After weeks of contraction in the face of growing daily COVID case numbers, the box office finally turned around over the past weekend, but with far less gusto than was expected. One of the year’s most anticipated Hollywood titles launched in first place, yet the overall box office only saw a marginal rise to 361,000 admissions, up a scant 3% over last week. Meanwhile, local admissions dwindled to 5%.

Warners Bros scored a pandemic record start around the world with its DC Comics reboot The Batman, which grossed a quarter billion dollars globally, but despite Korea’s past enthusiasm for the character, this latest iteration experienced a very quiet opening in the Korean market.

The Robert Pattinson-fronted comic book title attracted 233,000 viewers (USD 2.01 million) over the weekend, with a frontloaded total of 501,000 tickets (USD 4.24 million) over its first six days, since the film debuted on Tuesday, the March 1 Independence Movement Day holiday. Despite strong critical notices, the twin effects of Omicron and a muted audience response have dampened the film’s debut. The film’s currently marginal pre-sales numbers indicate similarly downcast prospects going forward.

The Tom Holland action vehicle Uncharted crashed 71% during its third weekend, occupying second place with 36,000 sales (USD 298,000). The film has to date filled 687,000 seats (USD 5.49 million). 

Also in its third weekend, the Japanese animation Jujutsu Kaisen: Zero slowed 41%, claiming another 36,000 entries (USD 299,000), which pushed its total to 367,000 admissions (USD 3 million).

Hollywood horror Antebellum slowed 68% during its sophomore weekend, with 10,000 seats (USD 84,000) occupied over the frame and a new total of 82,000 sales (USD 641,000).

Local erotic drama SERVE THE PEOPLE was down 74% in its second weekend, with 7,000 viewers (USD 55,000) snatching up tickets over the weekend. The Jang Cheolsoo film has attracted 68,000 spectators (USD 514,000) so far.

With The Batman underperforming, the local drama In Our Prime with Choi Minshik has a better shot than expected of usurping first place this coming weekend.