[Box Office] 'Avatar 2' Nears 8 Million Viewers · 'Yeongung' Surpasses 1.67 Million

by Lee Yiseul

Published 02 Jan.2023 09:31(KST)

Global Revenue of 1.7415 Trillion Won

The movie 'Avatar: The Way of Water' has signaled the birth of the first 10-million viewer film of the new year.

According to the Korea Film Council's integrated box office data from December 30 to January 1, 'Avatar: The Way of Water' (directed by James Cameron) attracted 1,274,171 viewers over the three-day weekend, securing the number one spot at the box office. Its revenue share was 63.4%. Since its release on December 14, the film has surpassed a cumulative audience of 7,742,584.

Photo by Yonhap News

The film has earned $426 million (537.6 billion KRW) in North America, $956.9 million (1.2076 trillion KRW) overseas, totaling $1.38 billion (1.7415 trillion KRW) in revenue.

The sequel to 'Avatar,' which was released in 2009 and attracted a cumulative audience of 13.33 million, becoming the highest-grossing foreign film, 'Avatar: The Way of Water' is expected to attract over 10 million viewers as well. Attention is focused on whether it will be recorded as the first 10-million viewer film of this year.

In second place was director Yoon Je-kyun's 'Hero,' which attracted 518,866 viewers. Released a week later than 'Avatar: The Way of Water' on December 21, the film has steadily drawn audiences, surpassing a cumulative audience of 1,672,808.

The actor Ju Ji-hoon starred in 'Gentleman' (directed by Kim Kyung-won), which attracted 99,110 viewers in its opening weekend, ranking third. A total of 178,799 people have watched the film.

In fourth place was the Japanese romance film 'Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight,' which drew 91,483 viewers. Released on November 30, the film started at ninth place at the box office and steadily attracted audiences, surpassing a cumulative audience of 692,130 in its fifth week.

Animated films quietly smiled during the year-end and New Year holidays. 'Shinbi Apartment The Movie: Dimension Goblin and the Seven Worlds' ranked sixth, 'The Snow Queen 5: Snow Princess and the Secret of Mirrorland' ranked seventh, 'Monster Bride: The 101st Proposal' ranked ninth, and 'Pororo the Movie: Save the Virus!' ranked tenth.