The Walt Disney Co.’s latest Marvel film, Deadpool & Wolverine, has captivated audiences worldwide since its release on July 22. However, it has struggled to replicate that success at the Chinese box office.
According to Maoyan, a Chinese movie-ticketing platform, the superhero sequel, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, earned a decent US$57 million (RM249.6 million) in its first 20 days in China. Yet, it pales in comparison to the success of Successor, a China-produced comedy-drama that grossed six times as much during the same period.
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Released in China on July 16, Successor, directed by Yan Fei and Peng Damo, features Chinese stars Shen Teng and Ma Li. The film follows a wealthy couple who decide to live in poverty to toughen up their son. As of August 22, the movie has grossed over 3.176 billion yuan (RM1.9 billion), making it the third most-watched film in China this year, while Deadpool & Wolverine lags far behind at No. 15.
An article by CNBC titled “Beijing and Hollywood are Decoupling as Chinese Audiences Favour Domestic Productions” highlighted the growing preference for local films in China. Experts point out that Hollywood’s influence in the Chinese market had been waning even before 2020, with the Covid-19 pandemic accelerating this trend.
Dr. Stanley Rosen, a professor at the University of Southern California, noted that China has learned from Hollywood and now produces its own high-quality blockbuster films. He suggests that Chinese audiences no longer need Hollywood as much as they once did.
Moreover, films like Successor have a “home-field advantage,” resonating with Chinese viewers through stories that reflect their own experiences and cultural context. This trend has been further fueled by the rise of nationalistic and patriotic films in China, especially amid ongoing Sino-US tensions.
As Dr. Zhu Ying, a Chinese film expert, explained, strained relations between China and the US have dampened enthusiasm for American films, contributing to Hollywood’s declining success in the Chinese market.
