FUNimation’s first night of showing the theatrical release of Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F has worked out pretty well as the company has revealed that in the 894 theaters it was shown in for the special showing, it raked in $1.97 million. This breaks down the per screen average of more than $2,198 and, according to FUNimation, landed it in 1st place yesterday in Average Per Screen among the Top 10 movies showing in the U.S. and 6th place in overall box office gross against all major studio releases.
The film is now the 8th highest anime opening of all time and the first limited event-style theatrical release to crack the Top 10.
“We are thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive fan response to the movie. We knew the opening would be very good but its performance has exceeded everyone’s expectations,” said Michael DuBoise, EVP and COO of FUNimation. “From our theatrical marketing campaign and fan engagement events to our expanded theatrical footprint and the specially produced 15-minute pre-show, FUNimation made a strategic decision to make Dragon Ball Z accessible to anime fans both old and new and it has paid off.”
The feature opens in Canada on Thursday, August 6, and will screen in more than 1,000 theaters total during its limited theatrical engagement from August 4 – 12, 2015.
“This film is a resounding victory on all levels,” said David Wengrod, VP of Theatrical Distribution for FUNimation. “The combination of our careful choice of release dates, an enticing marketing campaign that theaters embraced and fans universally accepted, and all of the great reviews added up to a terrific opening for us.”
Check out our review of the movie here.
Based on the screenplay by original creator Akira Toriyama, the two hour film is directed by Tadayoshi Yamamuro with Toei Animation handling the production side of it.
Plot concept: An Earth where peace has arrived. However, remnants of Frieza’s army Sorbet and Tagoma (from the Japanese word for ‘egg’) arrive on the planet. Their goal is to revive Frieza with the dragon balls. Their dastardly wish is granted, the “F” that plans its revenge against the Saiyans is revived…!
