As someone who has spent a considerable amount of time navigating the intricate world of international film distribution, I find it fascinating to observe how the decisions made by Hollywood studios can drastically impact their box office performance in specific territories like China. The cases of “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Spider-Man: No Way Home” are particularly interesting, as they have proven that a successful blockbuster can thrive globally without relying on the Chinese market.
Starting in early 2012, a significant shift happened. China, known for limiting the number of American movies shown in its cinemas, decided to increase this significantly. This move was influenced by the large box office earnings that films like “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” were making in China, a situation that would be advantageous for both Chinese audiences and American movie studios. As a result, Hollywood started making changes to cater to this profitable market, modifying several movies for China, with costly blockbusters being most affected as they performed well there.
Although many blockbuster American movies have been shown in Chinese theaters due to historical trends, it’s important to note that not all of them have managed to secure a theatrical run in China. In fact, various kinds of hits, some of which are among the biggest films ever made, have never played on Chinese screens. The reasons for excluding these titles from Chinese cinemas can be quite diverse: some dealt with sensitive political topics, others featured actors who had previously criticized China or its government, and still others were too dark-toned for Chinese audiences. For one reason or another, these box office juggernauts have not been screened in Chinese theaters, despite their widespread success around the world and China’s generally close ties with Hollywood.
Suicide Squad
The DC Extended Universe began strongly in China with the 2013 film “Man of Steel,” earning $63.4 million there. Three years later, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” added a substantial $95.7 million from China to its global earnings. Given these strong performances by the first two films, one might expect China to be essential for any future DC Extended Universe movies. However, the third film in the series, “Suicide Squad,” did not enjoy box office success in China, as it didn’t receive a theatrical release in the world’s second largest market.
It’s not uncommon for R-rated superhero films to fail to premiere in cinemas in China, as was the case with the first “Deadpool” movie due to its graphic and explicit content. Interestingly, “Suicide Squad,” rated PG-13, should have had no trouble getting a Chinese cinema release given its lack of violence or nudity. However, it seems that the film’s dark tone did not appeal to Chinese censors, which ultimately prevented the movie from being screened in China. Despite this setback, “Suicide Squad” didn’t require China’s box office for success: Its final earnings of $749.2 million worldwide surpassed the global gross of “Man of Steel.
Christopher Robin
In simpler terms, several films not screened in Chinese theaters are gloomy and contain mature content. Some are intentionally uncomfortable to watch due to heavy themes. For instance, “Christopher Robin,” released in 2018, is a family-friendly Disney movie rated PG. Despite having some darker scenes, like a flashback of Christopher Robin getting fired upon during World War II, it remains a typical Disney film, much like “Maleficent” or “Cinderella” that were played in Chinese theaters. It’s puzzling as to why Chinese censors would ban “Christopher Robin” from screening in their cinemas.
On the same day that “Christopher Robin” started its domestic cinema release, it was announced that the film would not be shown in Chinese cinemas. An insider revealed that the reason behind this was related to Winnie the Pooh, as the Chinese government had been censoring images of him due to people jokingly likening the look of their leader Xi Jinping to the silly old bear. This reportedly caused the film’s failure in China, but another source proposed that “Christopher Robin” was merely a casualty of the limited number of American films permitted in Chinese movie theaters. Regardless of the cause, “Christopher Robin” stands out as one of the most innocuous movies never to appear on Chinese cinema screens.
I Am Legend
Prior to the 2010s, Hollywood’s connection with China was markedly distinct. American movie studios made concerted efforts to distribute their films in China, but it was a gamble due to strict limitations set by China on the number of foreign movies shown annually. Unlike future blockbusters like “Warcraft,” whose success hinged significantly on Chinese box office earnings, a film’s fate wasn’t solely dependent on this market at that time.
In the 2000s, the unpredictable dynamic between China and Hollywood reached a significant point in December 2007, when China reportedly enforced a ban on all American films for a period of three months. Consequently, the movie “I Am Legend,” released in December 2007, never got screened in China. It was later disclosed that Will Smith made efforts to secure a Chinese theater release for “I Am Legend,” even going as far as discussing this with the head of the China Film Group himself.
Eventually, not a single renowned Hollywood actor could sway the decision of Chinese censors regarding their approval for screening. Warner Bros., who distributed “I Am Legend”, regrettably couldn’t secure revenue from China’s box office as the film didn’t require Chinese screenings to achieve success. The post-apocalyptic action movie set a record for the highest domestic December opening weekend earnings before earning a total of $585 million worldwide.
The Dark Knight
In today’s era filled with successful superhero movie blockbusters worldwide, it’s simple to overlook the fact that “The Dark Knight,” released in July 2008, was a remarkable financial titan at the box office. Seats were hard to come by everywhere (particularly IMAX screenings), and it was the cultural event not to miss. It held the distinction of being the second film ever (after “Titanic”) to surpass $500 million in domestic earnings. To give you an idea, 22 films have since exceeded that figure in North America. However, even a sensation as large as “The Dark Knight” couldn’t reach every part of the globe; Christopher Nolan’s directorial work never had a theatrical run in China.
It’s worth noting that in December 2008, Warner Bros. decided not to release “The Dark Knight” in Chinese cinemas due to cultural disagreements. Since the relationship between Hong Kong and China was strained at the time, scenes featuring the film set in Hong Kong might not have been well-received there. Additionally, darker American films generally don’t resonate as much with Chinese audiences. Regardless, “The Dark Knight” had already amassed a significant global box office success by early 2009, reaching over $1 billion worldwide, which underscores its enduring popularity and impressive earnings without the need for Chinese ticket sales.
World War Z
The backstory of “World War Z” was filled with challenges and issues before more controversy arose only three months prior to its premiere in March 2013. There were allegations that a line from the movie had been removed, where a character hypothesized that the zombie outbreak originated in China. Paramount Pictures aimed to ensure that their major production, “World War Z,” could be screened in China, as any dialogue hinting at China potentially causing the apocalypse would not aid this objective. This adjustment showcases how, at the start of the 2010s, China was rapidly growing into a crucial market for Hollywood films. Movies were being significantly altered to capitalize on profitable regions worldwide.
As a devoted fan, I can share that despite our team’s efforts to tailor “World War Z” for Chinese audiences, the theatrical release was ultimately rejected by censors just weeks before its premiere. The film’s focus on zombies and Brad Pitt’s portrayal in the 1997 film “Seven Years in Tibet,” which was critical of China, were reportedly the main reasons for this decision. Despite assurances from Paramount Pictures that the thriller might yet play on Chinese screens, this did not come to pass. Regrettably, even editing the screenplay didn’t guarantee that “World War Z” could add China to its impressive $540 million global earnings.
Joker
The marketing strategy for “Joker” was built around its departure from typical comic book movie style. Unlike other movies of this genre, there were no big explosions or extensive action scenes. Instead, the film delved into a dark portrayal of a man’s mental breakdown, directed by Todd Phillips and his team. Given this, it wasn’t surprising that “Joker” chose to deviate from the norms of 2010s comic book movies in China as well. Despite American superhero films being highly successful in China during that decade, it became apparent by late October 2019 that this R-rated film would not be screened in Chinese cinemas.
Given the frequent difficulties faced by R-rated and somber American films in being distributed in China, it wasn’t surprising that things turned out this way. However, “Joker” didn’t require China’s box office to become a historic sensation. Despite concerns about ticket sales for this unique film, its global earnings totaled an astounding $1.064 billion. This made it the first R-rated movie to surpass $1 billion worldwide, and notably, it was the first film in 11 years (since another Joker-themed film, “The Dark Knight”) to reach this milestone without being screened in Chinese cinemas.
2019 saw the influence of “Joker” extend beyond its screening in Chinese cinemas: Protesters in Hong Kong adopted the character during their demonstrations against Chinese authorities, using him symbolically amidst their protests. It seems that even if local censorship tries to prevent it, thought-provoking films often manage to resonate with people regardless.
Nope
As a gaming enthusiast who’s been keeping tabs on the box office, let me share my take on Jordan Peele’s latest masterpiece, “Nope”. This thriller raked in an impressive $171.2 million worldwide, with a whopping $123.2 million coming from domestic viewers. The international earnings were at $47.9 million, which, to be honest, wasn’t that surprising given its deep roots in the Western genre, a niche that hasn’t traditionally been a blockbuster for foreign moviegoers. What’s worth noting is that it missed out on a Chinese theatrical run, just like “Get Out” and “Us”. This isn’t shocking news since these films haven’t graced Chinese screens either.
In China, the main issue hindering the release of “Nope” was the country’s tough stance on horror films. Unlike period action pieces and comedies which are common, horror movies are less prevalent in the Chinese market due to their content often being targeted by strict censorship laws. Common elements in typical horror films such as ghosts or supernatural entities are heavily scrutinized under these laws, making it challenging for even domestic Chinese horror productions to succeed, let alone foreign ones like “Nope”.
In addition, it’s worth noting that many R-rated American movies, particularly horror films, face heavy editing when they are screened in China. As a result, iconic horror films such as “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” would lose their essence after this process. Consequently, even the most successful American horror movies of all time, like “It,” have never been shown in Chinese theaters. The ongoing trend of editing R-rated American horror films makes it unsurprising that “Nope” became the latest such hit to be absent from Chinese movie theaters.
The Departed
During the making of “The Departed,” which starred Mark Wahlberg and Martin Scorsese, there were tensions off-screen that went beyond their on-screen roles. The film faced another challenge when Chinese censors decided it wouldn’t be shown in China’s cinemas, disrupting its worldwide box office performance.
In 2006, when Martin Scorsese included a line in “The Departed” about China buying military equipment, it demonstrates how Hollywood approached the Chinese market differently during the 2000s. Compared to movies like “Red Dawn” and “World War Z”, which changed dialogue or plots to not offend Chinese audiences just a few years later, there were no objections or edited versions offered for a Chinese release when “The Departed” was initially produced by Warner Bros. There were no demands to remove the line or offer an altered version for China’s theaters at that time.
Back in the day, Chinese contributions to American films weren’t particularly significant. In fact, the highest-earning American film in China in 2006 was “The Da Vinci Code,” which brought in only $13.2 million. Before “Transformers: Age of Extinction” earned a staggering $301 million there alone, studios faced fewer obstacles when releasing mid-budget dramas with dialogue that criticized China. However, films like “The Departed” wouldn’t remain popular in Hollywood for long, considering the rising trend of the global box office in the 2010s.
Mad Max: Fury Road
Looking back, it’s astonishing how successful “Mad Max: Fury Road” turned out to be financially, considering its peculiar, eccentric nature and minimal dialogue. Defying expectations, this unique film raked in an impressive $379.4 million worldwide. Although it didn’t set any new records, its earnings surpassed all other Mad Max films and were on par with pre-2016 R-rated action movies. If “Fury Road” had been shown in Chinese theaters, there’s a strong possibility it would have exceeded the $400 million+ global mark.
In early 2016, it was announced that the Chinese censors had turned down “Fury Road,” distributed by Warner Bros., despite their best attempts. Later in late 2016, a local remake titled “Mad Shelia” attempted to fill the void for Chinese audiences who were eager for a taste of “Fury Road.” Since China tends to be wary of R-rated films and darker themes, it was not surprising that “Fury Road” was excluded. The original “Mad Max” movies are not popular in China, which may have further hindered the film’s chances. Given that recent “Star Wars” movies have faced struggles in China due to cultural differences with the original titles, it is easy to understand how “Fury Road” might have fared poorly in this market.
Nine years on, it turned out that “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” premiered in Chinese cinemas. Similar to its domestic flop at the box office, the prequel also underperformed financially in China. This suggests that “Fury Road” may not have lost much by skipping over this market.
Top Gun: Maverick
As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but share my disappointment upon seeing the first “Top Gun: Maverick” poster. The jacket sported by Maverick (Tom Cruise), a signature element of his character, seemed to be missing some patches that were part of his original “Top Gun” outfit. Specifically, the Japanese and Taiwanese flags were conspicuously absent despite being present in the original design. This led me, along with many others online, to speculate whether this omission was an attempt to gain favor with the Chinese government, potentially ensuring that “Maverick” would grace the screens in China.
In May 2022, when “Top Gun: Maverick” flew into cinemas, the story took an unforeseen twist. The flags were reinstated on Maverick’s jacket in the final version, yet the initial Chinese co-producer, Tencent Pictures, was no longer associated with the film and it didn’t play in Chinese movie theaters.
It’s not common for a blockbuster film released after 2011 to bypass a theatrical release in China, but “Top Gun: Maverick” managed to do just that and still raked in an enormous $1.5 billion+ globally without any earnings from Chinese moviegoers. This unprecedented success has significantly altered the landscape of Hollywood, challenging the long-held belief that China was the key market for blockbuster movies. Interestingly, defying Chinese censorship also made the film a hit in Taiwan, where audiences enthusiastically supported an overtly pro-American production. Who would have thought this outcome would arise from the initial uproar over Maverick’s jacket pins?
Spider-Man: No Way Home
As a passionate gamer and avid Marvel fan, I was thrilled to see the Avengers and Spidey movies taking over the Chinese box office in the 2010s. But as we stepped into the new decade, films like Eternals and Shang-Chi were nowhere to be found on the big screen there. So it came as no shock when Spider-Man: No Way Home was also denied a Chinese theatrical release.
As a devoted movie enthusiast, let me share my take on the cinematic sensation that was “No Way Home” last summer. Similar to how “Top Gun: Maverick” proved it, “No Way Home” showed Hollywood that monumental box office earnings could be achieved without relying on the Chinese market. Globally, this blockbuster raked in an astounding $1.9 billion, with North America contributing a significant portion of over $800 million to that total. This means “No Way Home” became the highest-grossing movie ever worldwide without earning a dime in China. Intriguingly, Marvel Studios declared in January 2023 that they would return to releasing movies like “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” in China once more. However, the financial triumphs of “No Way Home” left no doubt that China was no longer a critical deciding factor for the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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2024-09-23 14:31