Records are indeed meant to be broken, but Hayao Miyazaki probably took it too literally. Although the USA has shown a tendency to disappoint good films, Miyazaki experienced the better side of the US audience.
This week, Miyazaki and his creation had every intention of shattering some records, and they definitely didn’t disappoint. “The Boy and the Heron” crossed $12.8 million in the opening weekend in the USA audience, breaking the record set by “Godzilla Minus One.”
This also became the first original anime production to top the domestic box office, but they had no intention of stopping there.
“The Boy and the Heron” also shattered a long-existing record set by 2004’s “Hero.” Nineteen years ago, “Hero” climbed to the top of the US box office, and that was the last time any film held the top spot until this week. With a whopping $12.8 million under its name, it shattered the record.
One prime reason behind the stats is the film being screened at IMAX and other premium theaters, helping it rake in the big bucks. Also, this week, it had zero to no competition, as the second film on the box office podium is “Hunger Games,” which has been running for a long time.
Miyazaki, known for classics like “Spirited Away,” returned after a decade with “The Boy and the Heron.” Initially retiring in 2013, he amassed $84 million internationally, with $56 million from Japan. The film’s success contrasts with his earlier retirement announcement after “The Wind Rises.”
This time, the industry is also taking a short break as the festive season is approaching, and it will then be flooded with content.
Other competitions, like Beyonce’s film and “Godzilla Minus One,” also saw a dip, but the major reason behind the success has to go to the budding anime fanbase. The dedicated fans indeed hold the power to determine a movie’s success, and if it’s Miyazaki, the name itself holds the formula to get it to the peak.
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