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Nirolak · Jun 9, 2016

Not expected to do especially well domestically, but you'll probably get your trilogy anyway given Legendary was just bought by a Chinese company.

Variety said:
“Warcraft” is rocking the Chinese box office.

The video game adaptation grossed a massive $46 million on its opening day in the Middle Kingdom. That equals the best non-weekend launch in history, besting previous record-holder “Avengers: Age of Ultron’s” $28.3 million premiere. That number is only through 10 p.m. on Wednesday, so it could grow as late show results are tabulated. Some analysts believe that “Warcraft” could haul $150 million in its first five days of release in China.

It’s also been a boon to Imax. The wide screen company racked up a record $5.3 million in ticket sales, surpassing the previous high-water mark set by “Furious 7” with $4.7 million.

Legendary backed the film, which is facing fierce headwinds at the domestic box office and needs a lift from foreign audiences. It opens Friday in North America, where it’s projected to pull in $25 million, a weak result for a picture with an $160 million budget and tens of millions more spent on advertising. Universal is distributing the film in most of the world, save for China, where China Film Group and Huaxia are handling the rollout.

Overseas crowds appear to be more interested in the fantasy adventure. “Warcraft” has been screening in some foreign territories for nearly three weeks, making $75 million.

...

Source: http://variety.com/2016/film/box-office/warcraft-china-box-office-1201791346/

Update:

neoemonk · Jun 9, 2016

Going on Sunday to see it here in the good ol' US of A and looking forward to it. I'm glad to see it's making money because I'm one of the fans that would like to see this become a trilogy.

Interfectum · Jun 9, 2016

Going this weekend. Expecting cheese and fun.

shintoki · Jun 9, 2016

Seeing it right after work. So fucking excited. Only behind Nice Guys and ID4-2 for me.

_DiGiTaL_ · Jun 9, 2016

I'm not shocked that Warcraft has a huge opening over there. People over there seriously put their blood sweat and tears into that game. People have known to have died playing that game there binge playing it.

Mariolee · Jun 9, 2016

Good, always like seeing Duncan Jones doing well.

Killer Queen · Jun 9, 2016

Don't know shit about Warcraft but I'm pretty excited to see the movie, maybe Saturday

Sheriff_Battlesnake · Jun 9, 2016

China keeping the fireworks goin for us. More explosions.

Twookie · Jun 9, 2016

hell yeah gimme that sequal

also release that directors cut that has the 40 mins cut out of the regular version pls

sixteen-bit · Jun 9, 2016

congrats on the success

Mariolee said:
Good, always like seeing Duncan Jones doing well.

Moon director gon' eat

Entropia · Jun 9, 2016

Seeing it tonight! Beyond excited, I've been waiting for this for like 8 years now!!

Seems the RT score has gone up to 24%!

HStallion · Jun 9, 2016

I do wonder how this movie will do worldwide as certain markets like China seem to eat up our big blockbusters without caring if they're good or bad. Maybe if it doesn't do so well in the US and has trouble getting a sequel off the ground Chinese group will come into coproduce nd finance one that just skips everything and goes straight to the Mists of Pandaria ;D

#sorrynotsorry · Jun 9, 2016

This is good news despite the lukewarm predictions for America.

Enter the Dragon Punch · Jun 9, 2016

It's so weird how little critics like it versus how people who see it do.

gatti-man · Jun 9, 2016

Yes! Give us that sequel!

chefbags · Jun 9, 2016

Going all in for Ragnar Lothbrok!

Logash · Jun 9, 2016

Going to watch it tonight with my brother and some friends. Played WoW for 8 years so I'm pretty sure I'm going to like it. The general complaint seems to be that the pacing is super off but that is an issue that probably won't bother fans as much.

Also glad it's going to do well overall because I reaaaaaaaaaly want that trilogy.

BattleMonkey · Jun 9, 2016

Enter the Dragon Punch said:
It's so weird how little critics like it versus how people who see it do.

Outside of fans of the game, seems lot of people are saying it's "meh"

Triggerhappytel · Jun 9, 2016

Mariolee said:
Good, always like seeing Duncan Jones doing well.

Yeah, I want to see it do well for his sake. I wonder if he'd return to do the sequel, or whether his experience on this has been so bad that he'd want out.

SlickShoes · Jun 9, 2016

HStallion said:
I do wonder how this movie will do worldwide as certain markets like China seem to eat up our big blockbusters without caring if they're good or bad. Maybe if it doesn't do so well in the US and has trouble getting a sequel off the ground Chinese group will come into coproduce nd finance one that just skips everything and goes straight to the Mists of Pandaria ;D

The USA isn't the centre of the universe, if it does badly there it can easily make up for it in EU or far east. Warcraft is popular outside of the states so it's not like people are just wandering in to see it because it's a big budget movie and nothing else.

It seems like an OK movie that the studio cut too much, I'd like to see what Duncan Jones personal cut version is like and I'd also be keen on a sequel.

Milly Osworth · Jun 9, 2016

Enter the Dragon Punch said:
It's so weird how little critics like it versus how people who see it do.

It's a bad movie.

But if you are a HUGE Warcraft fan, you might like seeing some of the characters you love on the big screen.

Scientist Supreme! · Jun 9, 2016

Enter the Dragon Punch said:
It's so weird how little critics like it versus how people who see it do.

Doubt that's true and it wouldn't be weird if it was.

TheSlySoul · Jun 9, 2016

Doesn't China have lots of WoW players?
If so, then I am not that surprised.

Enter the Dragon Punch · Jun 9, 2016

BattleMonkey said:
Outside of fans of the game, seems lot of people are saying it's "meh"

Yeah, which is fine, but the reviews made it sound like the worst thing in the world. Especially that first review that compared it to fucking Battlefield Earth lmao

I got no doubts it's not a good movie. It doesn't look good or sound good. But audience impressions seem so different?

HStallion · Jun 9, 2016

SlickShoes said:
The USA isn't the centre of the universe, if it does badly there it can easily make up for it in EU or far east. Warcraft is popular outside of the states so it's not like people are just wandering in to see it because it's a big budget movie and nothing else.

It seems like an OK movie that the studio cut too much, I'd like to see what Duncan Jones personal cut version is like and I'd also be keen on a sequel.

I realize that but the US is also the biggest market out there and the reason I brought up China as they are catching up quick in terms of ticket sales and even starting to put up money for movies. That and I wanted to make a Pandaria joke.

lucebuce12 · Jun 9, 2016

Not surprising since DotA and Warcraft 3 were both massive in China. Warcraft is a beloved franchise there.

ElBoxyBrown · Jun 9, 2016

Enter the Dragon Punch said:
It's so weird how little critics like it versus how people who see it do.

The general consensus I'm been hearing is that the hardcore fans will get something out of this movie. I've never played a Warcraft game but this movie has got my interest.

potatohead · Jun 9, 2016

ElBoxyBrown said:
The general consensus I'm been hearing is that the hardcore fans will get something out of this movie. I've never played a Warcraft game but this movie has got my interest.

That's good to hear.

I want this to be good, for fans at the very least, including me. I am worried about seeing it atm but hoping for the best!

Dargor · Jun 9, 2016

Watched it already.

Its a good movie, fun and even if it does have several flaws (the ending was the worst in my opinion), it still is a good adaptation and sets a really great foundation for the next movies on the trilogy.

if they can work the mistakes, replace some of the actors, only Travis Fimmel (Lothar) was a good choice, this could really be the best movie adaptation of a game franchise ever (so far).

Enter the Dragon Punch said:
Yeah, which is fine, but the reviews made it sound like the worst thing in the world. Especially that first review that compared it to fucking Battlefield Earth lmao

I got no doubts it's not a good movie. It doesn't look good or sound good. But audience impressions seem so different?

IMHO, it is a good movie, it entertains and I say this comparing it to other movies, not to other video game movies. Compared to other video games movies this is oscar worthy lol.

It does have its flaws. As you watch it, it seems like there are stuff missing, its like the scenes don't tie thenselves together, almost like there was supposed to be something inbetween at times, but it does tell a story with a well defined beggining, middle and ending (if a really boring one lol). So yeah, a good, decent and easily watchable movie.

dragonflys545 · Jun 9, 2016

got the ticket for 3 buck as a T-mobile subscriber. Let's see if it's any good lol.

potatohead · Jun 9, 2016

Dargor said:
Watched it already.

Its a good movie, fun and even if it does have several flaws (the ending was the worst in my opinion), it still is a good adaptation and sets a really great foundation for the next movies on the trilogy.

if they can work the mistakes, replace some of the actors, only Travis Fimmel (Lothar) was a good choice, this could really be the best movie adaptation of a game franchise ever (so far).

Thanks for impressions, looking forward to watching

Tenki · Jun 9, 2016

I watched the money last Friday and I loved it. So much fanservice.

EGM1966 · Jun 9, 2016

Would this be the first big budget film of its kind to do mediocre in western territories but do okay overall thanks primarily to China?

KeyBladerXIII · Jun 9, 2016

So I guess the next movie will be Pandaria to cater to the Chinese?

potatohead · Jun 9, 2016

EGM1966 said:
Would this be the first big budget film of its kind to do mediocre in western territories but do okay overall thanks primarily to China?

I can't think of many others, so maybe... it kind of makes sense though. I bet WoW is huge in China....

Nirolak · Jun 9, 2016

EGM1966 said:
Would this be the first big budget film of its kind to do mediocre in western territories but do okay overall thanks primarily to China?

It's having some reasonable performance in other overseas countries as well.

Need For Speed was actually pretty similar, and is getting a sequel due to it.

BattleMonkey · Jun 9, 2016

Enter the Dragon Punch said:
Yeah, which is fine, but the reviews made it sound like the worst thing in the world. Especially that first review that compared it to fucking Battlefield Earth lmao

I got no doubts it's not a good movie. It doesn't look good or sound good. But audience impressions seem so different?

For non fans of the game, it's probably gonna seem horrible, this is a movie that probably will only have appeal to gamers, everyone else is going to be like "wtf"

Hagi · Jun 9, 2016

Haven't consumed a single piece of Warcraft media in my life before seeing this and absolutely loved it. Glad to see it's doing well because I really want sequels.

Finaj · Jun 9, 2016

EGM1966 said:
Would this be the first big budget film of its kind to do mediocre in western territories but do okay overall thanks primarily to China?

Would Pacific Rim count? Thanks to China, we're actually getting a sequel now.

Griss · Jun 9, 2016

Looks absolutely dire, but
a) I'm happy for Jones, and
b) I genuinely believe a sequel could be much better, and hope we get one.

FeD.nL · Jun 9, 2016

EGM1966 said:
Would this be the first big budget film of its kind to do mediocre in western territories but do okay overall thanks primarily to China?

Pacific Rim comes to mind. That film was saved by WW gross, and China played a big factor in it. Iirc the film did better in China than it did in the US.

edit: beaten

Bulzeeb · Jun 9, 2016

Finaj said:
Would Pacific Rim count? Thanks to China, we're actually getting a sequel now.

the sequel was cancelled/hiatus afaik

Finaj · Jun 9, 2016

Bulzeeb said:
the sequel was cancelled/hiatus afaik

Not at all, actually. John Boyega was just announced to star in it 3 days ago. It's being directed by Steven S. DeKnight and is a Chinese co-production with Legendary Pictures.

Berordn · Jun 9, 2016

Enter the Dragon Punch said:
I got no doubts it's not a good movie. It doesn't look good or sound good. But audience impressions seem so different?

Audience impressions will almost always be more positive than professional critics, since they're not the ones watching movies for a living and establishing a relationship with common fantasy and action tropes daily. Plus being a video game movie likely gives them no investment in the property or characters.

It's more to do with different expectations than anything.

SlickShoes · Jun 9, 2016

Dargor said:
Watched it already.

Its a good movie, fun and even if it does have several flaws (the ending was the worst in my opinion), it still is a good adaptation and sets a really great foundation for the next movies on the trilogy.

if they can work the mistakes, replace some of the actors, only Travis Fimmel (Lothar) was a good choice, this could really be the best movie adaptation of a game franchise ever (so far).

IMHO, it is a good movie, it entertains and I say this comparing it to other movies, not to other video game movies. Compared to other video games movies this is oscar worthy lol.

It does have its flaws. As you watch it, it seems like there are stuff missing, its like the scenes don't tie thenselves together, almost like there was supposed to be something inbetween at times, but it does tell a story with a well defined beggining, middle and ending (if a really boring one lol). So yeah, a good, decent and easily watchable movie.

I'm sure I read that Duncan Jones cut of the film is about 35 or 40 minutes longer than this final cut and that the studio wanted it down to under 2 hours for easier consumption by the general public.

It would be interesting to see both versions.

ElBoxyBrown · Jun 9, 2016

Bulzeeb said:
the sequel was cancelled/hiatus afaik

It's happening. John Boyega was recently announced as the lead.

#BlessChina

Pilgrimzero · Jun 9, 2016

So how did they cater to the Chinese market in this film?

Does Tony... I mean Lothar suddenly need emergency surgery and they fly him (via griffon) to the top Pandarian doctors?

Or perhaps half the film and the final battle take place in Pandaria? Where the Decepti.. I mean Orcs stage their massive assault?

Bulzeeb · Jun 9, 2016

Finaj said:
Not at all, actually. John Boyega was just announced to star in it 3 days ago. It's being directed by Steven S. DeKnight and is a Chinese co-production with Legendary Pictures.

whoa, thats the best movies news I read this week, lets hope this time is for real

Artdayne · Jun 9, 2016

I always suspected Warcraft would do well in China and I'm glad that's the case. I haven't seen the movie yet, but it sounds like 40 minutes were cut from the film mostly due to budget constraints. Apparently an extended edition is looking like a real possibility so I'm interested to see how much better that is than the theatrical version.

ElBoxyBrown · Jun 9, 2016

Pilgrimzero said:
So how did they cater to the Chinese market in this film?

Does Tony... I mean Lothar suddenly need emergency surgery and they fly him (via griffon) to the top Pandarian doctors?

Or perhaps half the film and the final battle take place in Pandaria? Where the Decepti.. I mean Orcs stage their massive assault?

China really loves Warcraft and WoW. It's one of Blizzard's biggest markets.

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Warcraft movie has massively successful opening in China, bigger than Avengers Ultron

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