[Box Office] 'Avatar 2' Approaches 10 Million Viewers, Global Revenue Hits 2 Trillion Won

'Hero' Surpasses 2 Million... 'Slam Dunk' Ranks 3rd

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The movie 'Avatar: The Way of Water' maintained its weekend top position and is on the verge of surpassing 9 million viewers. 'Hero' and 'The First Slam Dunk' also steadily attracted audiences, following closely behind.

According to the Korea Film Council's integrated box office data for the weekend (December 6-8), 'Avatar: The Way of Water' (directed by James Cameron) drew 592,000 viewers over three days, securing the number one spot at the box office. Its revenue share reached 41.3%. Since its release on December 14 last month, it has recorded a cumulative audience of 8,776,655.

It continues to draw steady audiences in North America as well. According to the US box office site Mojo, 'Avatar: The Way of Water' (hereafter 'Avatar 2') has achieved a global cumulative revenue of $1.7808 billion (2.132 trillion KRW), surpassing 'Jurassic World' (2015) to rank 7th in all-time box office earnings.

'Avatar 2' depicts the ruthless threats faced by the family formed by Jake Sully and Neytiri on the planet Pandora and their journey to survive. It is the sequel to 'Avatar' (2009), the highest-grossing foreign film released after 13 years. If this trend continues, it is expected to easily surpass 10 million viewers this month, becoming the first '10 million movie' of the year.

In second place is the musical film 'Hero' (directed by Yoon Je-kyun), which portrays the Harbin incident and martyrdom of independence activist Ahn Jung-geun, attracting 322,669 viewers. Released on November 21, a week after 'Avatar 2', it has surpassed a cumulative audience of 2,223,599. This pace is faster than the 2 million milestones reached by 'La La Land' (2016) and 'Mamma Mia! 2' (2018).

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Two animated films released simultaneously on December 4 also steadily attracted audiences. The animated film 'The First Slam Dunk', adapted from a popular Japanese manga, drew 309,315 viewers to rank third. Its cumulative audience reached 420,120. 'Puss in Boots: The Last Wish' attracted 218,904 viewers, ranking fourth, with a total of 316,088 viewers.

'The First Slam Dunk' evoked nostalgia among viewers in their 30s and 40s and received high interest. At one point, its reservation rate rose to second place, but the resurgence of right-wing remarks by director Takehiko Inoue, who created both the original manga and the film, seems to be affecting its box office momentum. Inoue had previously sparked controversy by posting on his social media that he was proud and grateful that the Japan Self-Defense Forces were the only armed group in the world with more people helped than killed.

The comedy 'Switch' (directed by Ma Dae-yoon), starring Kwon Sang-woo and Oh Jung-se, entered fifth place with 135,455 viewers. 'Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight' ranked sixth, 'Owl' seventh, and 'Gentleman', starring Ju Ji-hoon, took ninth place.

The total number of moviegoers visiting theaters over the weekend was recorded at 1,712,161.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.