What is the impact of local films on the global box office?

Local films now account for 80% of Japan's box office and 90% of China's, making it increasingly difficult for Hollywood films to break through in these key markets.

How has the performance of recent Hollywood superhero films been in Asia?

Compared to previous Marvel and DC releases, recent superhero films like "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" and "Superman" have underperformed significantly in Asia, with drops of up to 78% in South Korea.

What is the success story of the film "F1" in South Korea?

The Warner Bros./Apple film "F1" grossed an impressive $38.7 million in South Korea, topping its $30 million earnings in the United Kingdom, one of Formula One's biggest markets.

Home / Business and Economy / Hollywood Struggles to Break Through as Local Films Dominate Overseas

Hollywood Struggles to Break Through as Local Films Dominate Overseas

3 Oct

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Summary

"Ne Zha 2" makes $2 billion in China, while Hollywood films struggle
Domestic distribution veteran Jeff Goldstein learns new lessons about overseas releases
Disney's Andrew Cripps says 80% of Japan's box office is local, 90% in China

Hollywood Struggles to Break Through as Local Films Dominate Overseas

The global box office landscape has undergone a significant shift in recent years, with Hollywood studios facing increasing challenges in breaking through overseas markets. This is the key takeaway from the discussions at TheGrill 2025, where industry leaders like Jeff Goldstein, the global distribution chief at Warner Bros., and Andrew Cripps, the global distribution chief at Disney, shared their insights.

Goldstein, who has overseen $4 billion in worldwide grosses in his first year, has learned valuable lessons about releasing Hollywood films internationally. He emphasizes the importance of trusting local teams, who can provide crucial insights into the preferences of diverse global audiences. This has become increasingly crucial as many countries, especially in Asia, have leaned more heavily on local films, with 80% of Japan's box office and 90% of China's box office now dominated by domestic productions.