Title: Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Boy and the Heron” To Dominate Domestic Box Office with a Projected $5.4 Million Earnings
Renowned filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki’s latest masterpiece, “The Boy and the Heron,” is set to conquer the domestic box office this weekend, as industry insiders predict it will rake in an estimated $5.4 million. The film’s success can be attributed to several factors, including its wide release in 2,205 theaters, including premium large format auditoriums like Imax, which have helped boost ticket sales significantly.
“The Boy and the Heron” follows the trend of event releases with smaller marketing budgets, mirroring the success of recent films such as “Godzilla Minus One” and “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé.” Despite lacking an existing intellectual property or franchise ties, Studio Ghibli and Hayao Miyazaki films have garnered a loyal fan base and name recognition, which undoubtedly contributes to their success.
Internationally, “The Boy and the Heron” has already amassed an impressive $84 million, with $56 million coming from its release in Japan alone. The film has established itself as the third-highest grossing film of the year in Japan, further solidifying the enduring popularity of Miyazaki’s works.
“The Boy and the Heron” marks the long-awaited return of the 82-year-old Miyazaki to filmmaking after his retirement announcement. Audiences and critics have eagerly anticipated his new creation and have been overwhelmingly positive in their response.
This weekend’s lack of new wide releases paves the way for “The Boy and the Heron” to easily secure the top spot at the box office. However, “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is expected to take second place with a projected gross of approximately $9.3 million, maintaining its steady decline in ticket sales.
Meanwhile, “Godzilla Minus One” continues to perform admirably, securing the third position with an estimated $7.9 million in earnings. The film has surpassed the success of previous foreign-language “Godzilla” films in North America, cementing its popularity among audiences.
Universal’s “Trolls Band Together” is poised to claim fourth place with a minimal drop in ticket sales, expected to exceed $80 million in domestic gross.
While “Renaissance” experienced a significant drop in ticket sales, earning $1.6 million on its second Friday, industry insiders anticipate its overall gross to reach a respectable $28 million.
Looking ahead, the upcoming holiday season promises a boost for theaters with the arrival of highly anticipated blockbuster releases, including “Wonka,” “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” and “Migration.” These films are expected to reignite the box office and draw audiences back to theaters.
As “The Boy and the Heron” continues to captivate audiences and dominate the box office, it reaffirms Hayao Miyazaki’s timeless appeal and remarkable storytelling abilities that have made him a celebrated figure in the film industry.
