A movie about the World of Warcraft was always a risky gambit. The game may have a lot of fans around the world, but movies based on video games are almost universally terrible. Still, there was hope that the Duncan Jones helmed fantasy epic could turn the tide and usher in a new era of high-quality video game movies. Based on its opening domestic box office numbers and critical reception, it didn't look like Warcraft was going to pull it off at first. But the world is a big place and even though the film won't take the number one spot in the U.S., it's breaking records over in China and has made a whopping $145 million in just four days.
These numbers come from Variety which reports that Warcraft is doing gangbusters over in China and other foreign markets. The film has made $145 million in four days time. Warcraft opened in China on Wednesday for a total of $46 million. This makes Warcraft the fastest international film to top $135 million. In fact, it beats out last year's winner, Furious 7, which took in a total gross of $390 million in China by the end of its run. To help give a better idea of just how big a figure this is, Warcraft has only made $27 million so far in the United States, so Warcraft has made five times more in China than America. Warcraft was made on a budget of $160 million. Looks like this film is far from being the flop some were expecting.
This impressive figure gives the fantasy flick a worldwide total of $227 million from 51 markets. Warcraft is the number one film in 45 of those markets. Russia is the second biggest international territory with a gross of $19.1 million in 16 days.
So, things are looking pretty good for Warcraft. I can't imagine a sequel announcement is too far off from now, especially because the finale was open-ended and left the door open for more sequels. I'm ready for another fantasy trilogy, but it sounds like quite a few critics and fans didn't take to the story of orcs and humans meeting for the first time. It's possible that Warcraft could be a film that people come to accept over time or maybe it will gain a cult following. Warcraft kind of has a cult vibe to it. The movie is so nerdy and specific that it feels like it really only appeals to a specific group of people (or the entirety of China).
So, what did you all think of Warcraft? is it underrated or does it just only appeal to a specific group? Sound off in the comments section below.
