Box Office Records of Korean Films Released in the U.S.
Releasing local films abroad is not so important new anymore. Domestic movies are being widely opened in Asia and other countries in Europe and America region. However, entry barriers into North America are still rather high. Because the wider film market is, the more competitions exist.
The year’s most successful film in Korea, zombie thriller
TRAIN TO BUSAN has become the most successful foreign film in various Asian countries including Singapore while it has grossed nearly USD 100 million in worldwide over. Nevertheless, its ticket sales in the United States are USD 2.11 million with only 2.4% of the total.
Film market in North America is still number one in the world despite threats from China. Therefore, local movies need to strengthen their position in this area.
The biggest Korean hit in the U.S. box office is fantasy blockbuster
D-War (2007). Its total of box office receipts is USD 11 million, twice as much as USD 4.56 million of no. 2
Snowpiercer (2013). In third is period epic
Roaring Currents (2014) with USD 2.59 million, which is the most successful Korean film of all time in domestic box office. Fourth place unexpectedly went to
KIM Ki-duk’s art movie
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter And Spring (2003) with USD 2.38 million ticket sales.
Ode to My Father (2014), which ranked second Korean film in all time domestic box office, came fifth with USD 2.3 million.