Romulus’ Takes Second Weekend Win

“Alien: Romulus” claimed a second weekend victory at the South Korean theatrical box office in another quiet session that may signal the end of the summer season.

The horror-action franchise film collected $2.70 million between Friday and Sunday, according to data from Kobis, the tracking service operated by the Korean Film Council (Kofic). After 12 days on release, it has a cumulative of $9.81 million.

The film’s weekend performance represented only a modest 24% week-on-week decline compared with its opening frame. And the film’s share of the weekend market remained steady at 28%.

That meant that the overall market trended downwards too – by 23% — delivering the first weekend with aggregate box office below $10 million for ten weeks. A lack of significant titles arriving in cinemas may further be signalling the end of the summer season – a vibrant season in previous year, often dominated by horror titles. Big local titles, such as “Veteran” sequel “I, The Executioner” are targeting Chuseok holiday audiences in mid and late September.

Comedy hit, “Pilot” remained in second place over the latest weekend. It flew off with $1.55 million in its fourth weekend on release, taking its cumulative total to a lofty $29.8 million. That makes it the fourth highest-grossing film of the year.

Korean-produced horror-thriller “Spring Garden” was the weekend’s highest ranked new release title. It earned $1.13 million over the weekend and $1.52 million over its full five-day opening run.

Korean animation, “Heartsping: Teenieping of Love” earned $649,000 in its third weekend on release. After releasing on Aug. 7, the film has a running total of $5.41 million. It is a family-oriented spin-off from a three-season TV series produced by SAMG Entertainment.

“Twisters,” which released in Korea on Aug. 14, dropped a notch to $729,000 and fifth place. After 12 days on release, It has sucked up $3.41 million.

Korean, political thriller “Land of Happiness” earned $608,000 in its second weekend of release. That give it a $4.34 million total. The film is the latest cinema examination of Korea’s political turmoil in the late 1970s.

“Victory,” a drama about cheerleading, dropped the baton. It earned $392,000 in its second weekend of release and now has a cumulative of $2.06 million.

“The Desperate Chase,” a newly-released comedy-action film, also got lost. It earned $313,000 over the weekend and $558,000 over its five-day opening run.

Japanese animation, “Blue Lock: Episode Nagi” opened with $148,000 between Friday and Sunday, for ninth place. Over its five-day sequence, it managed $273,000.

Sliding downwards, “Despicable Me 4” earned $132,000 in its fifth weekend on release in Korea. That gives it a cumulative of $10.6 million.

The nation’s year-to-date running box office total amounts to KRW827 billion or $627 million. That compares with KRW890 million for the full first eight months of 2023.