2013 Top Grossing Films
Total Gross / Admissions :: Film :: Days in Release :: Distributor

¥10 billion ↨
¥6.85 billion ($76.9 million) / 5.67 million :: One Piece Film Z :: Final Estimate :: Toei
¥6.74 billion ($68.7 million) / 5.26 million :: Monsters University :: 37 :: Disney
¥6.11 billion ($67.7 million) / 4.96 million :: Les Miserables :: Final Estimate :: Toho-Towa
¥5.60 billion ($57.5 million) / 4.51 million :: The Wind Rises :: 23 :: Toho
¥5 billion ↨
¥4.21 billion ($46.2 million) / 3.09 million :: Ted :: Final Estimate :: Toho-Towa
¥4 billion ↨
¥3.96 billion ($43.2 million) / 3.64 million :: Doraemon: Nobita's Secret Gagdet Museum :: Final Estimate :: Toho
¥3.61 billion ($36.9 million) / 3.01 million :: Detective Conan: Private Eye in the Distant Sea :: Final Estimate :: Toho
¥3.06 billion ($31.6 million) / 2.48 million :: Midsummer Formula :: 44 :: Toho
¥3.00 billion ($31.0 million) / 2.35 million :: Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods :: Final Estimate :: Toei
¥3 billion ↨
¥2.93 billion ($31.6 million) / 2.40 million :: Wreck-It Ralph :: Final Estimate :: Disney
¥2.82 billion ($32.4 million) / 2.21 million :: 007: Skyfall :: Final Estimate :: Sony
¥2.64 billion ($28.3 million) / 2.12 million :: Platinum Data :: Final Estimate :: Toho
¥2.60 billion ($26.7 million) / 1.77 million :: Iron Man 3 :: Tracking Ends :: Disney
¥2.23 billion ($23.1 million) / 2.16 million :: Pokemon Wishes: ExtremeSpeed Genesect - Mewtwo Awakens :: 30 :: Toho
¥2.15 billion ($23.9 million) / 1.73 million :: Strawberry Night :: Final Estimate :: Toho
¥2.03 billion ($22.3 million) / 1.49 million :: A Good Day to Die Hard :: Final Estimate :: Fox
¥2 billion ↨
¥1.98 billion ($20.4 million) / 1.52 million :: Fast and Furious 6 :: 37 :: Toho-Towa
¥1.84 billion ($21.3 million) / 1.28 million :: Life of Pi :: Final Estimate :: Fox
¥1.81 billion ($19.0 million) / 1.44 million :: Shield of Straw :: Final Estimate :: Warner Bros.
¥1.77 billion ($20.2 million) / 1.46 million :: Today, I Started Loving You :: Final Total :: Toho
¥1.75 billion ($18.9 million) / 1.25 million :: Oz: The Great and Powerful :: Final Estimate :: Disney
¥1.71 billion ($18.0 million) / 1.38 million :: Library Wars :: Final Estimate :: Toho
¥1.64 billion ($18.9 million) / 1.16 million :: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey :: Tracking Ends :: Warner Bros.
¥1.55 billion ($16.9 million) / 1.42 million :: Tokyo Family :: Final Estimate :: Shochiku
¥1.43 billion ($14.6 million) / 1.16 million :: Gintama: The Final Chapter :: 37 :: Warner Bros.
¥1.40 billion ($14.9 million) / 1.13 million :: Oblivion :: Tracking Ends :: Toho-Towa
¥1.30 billion ($13.3 million) / 1.13 million :: Crayon Shin-chan: Gourmet Survival Class :: Final Estimates:: Toho
¥1.25 billion ($13.9 million) / 0.99 million :: Brain Man :: Final Estimate :: Toho
¥1.21 billion ($13.5 million) / 1.02 million :: Hunter X Hunter: The Phantom Rouge :: Final Total :: Toho
¥1.18 billion ($12.9 million) / 1.02 million :: Aibou Series: X-Day :: Final Estimate :: Toei
¥1.17 billion ($13.3 million) / 0.99 million :: Humanoid Monster, Bem :: Final Total :: Toho
¥1.14 billion ($13.0 million) / 1.03 million :: Kamen Rider X Kamen Rider Fourze & Wizard :: Final Total :: Toei
¥1.12 billion ($11.6 million) / 0.89 million :: The Great Gatsby :: Tracking Ends :: Warner Bros.
¥1.10 billion ($11.4 million) / 0.98 million :: The After-Dinner Mysteries :: 9 :: Toho
¥1.07 billion ($11.3 million) / 0.87 million :: Jack Reacher :: Tracking Ends :: Paramount
¥1.05 billion ($11.0 million) / 0.98 million :: Pretty Cure All Stars: New Stage 2 :: Final Estimate :: Toei
¥1.02 billion ($10.8 million) / 0.83 million :: The Complex :: Tracking Ends :: Shochiku
¥1 billion ↑

Every film on the list right now (except Fast 6 since it was pulled from most theaters this weekend) will see week-on-week increases thanks to Obon this week, so expect large gains for them next week, especially for The Wind Rises, MU and Pokemon

Today (Wednesday) is shaping up to be the busiest of the year, if not one of the busiest days of all-time.

There are so many theaters (I've counted nearly 30 myself) selling out nearly every showing for every film they're showing.

Shibuya
Nagareyama
Kinshicho
Roppongi Hills
Miyoshi
Saitama

I have never seen so many sell-outs before at so many locations, and those are just a few. It's currently just after 12pm in Japan, and the only showings with seats left are those after 7pm at most locations.

The Wind Rises is being screened at the Toronto International Film Festival, and they've shared a subbed version of the trailer:

The Wind Rises exceeded the 5 million admissions mark yesterday, it's 26th day in release.

Fastest Films to 5 Million Admissions (Since 2004)

16 - Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
19 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
20 - Ponyo (2008)
21 - Alice in Wonderland (2010)
22 - Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)
24 - Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
24 - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
25 - The Da Vinci Code (2006)
26 - Rookies (2009)
26 - The Wind Rises (2013)
27 - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2004)
27 - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
28 - Arrietty (2010)
29 - Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
30 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2 (2011)
30 - One Piece Film Z (2012)

*30 Days or Less*

Weekend Forecast [8/17-18]

1 (1) The Wind Rises (Toho) ¥450 million ($4.7 million) Week 5
2 (3) Monsters University (Disney) ¥250 million ($2.6 million) Week 7
3 (2) World War Z (Toho-Towa) ¥240 million ($2.5 million) Week 2
4 (4) The After-Dinner Mysteries (Toho) ¥200 million ($2.1 million) Week 3
5 (5) Pacific Rim (Warner Bros.) ¥155 million ($1.7 million) Week 2
6 (6) The Lone Ranger (Disney) ¥130 million ($1.4 million) Week 3
7 (-) White House Down (Sony) ¥120 million ($1.3 million) DEBUT
8 (7) A Boy Called H (Toho) ¥105 million ($1.1 million) Week 2
9 (9) Pokemon Best Wishes: ExtremeSpeed Genesect - Mewtwo Awakens (Toho) ¥95 million ($1.0 million) Week 6
10 (8) Kamen Rider Wizard in Magic Land (Toei) ¥90 million ($1.0 million) Week 3

We're at the end of Obon Week, so I don't think we'll see any increases since last Sunday to Friday comprised on the core holiday frame this year. Comparable to last year, last weekend was right before Obon Week really began, while this weekend is at it's end.

The Smurfs 2 also opens this weekend, but it will need some incredible luck to make the Top 10. It'll likely debut in 11th or 12th place.

And Star Trek Into Darkness has previews starting this weekend. It opens on August 23rd.

Fastest to ¥1 billion (3 Days or Less)

Spoiler: show

1 - The Matrix Reloaded
1 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
1 - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
1 - Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
1 - Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
2 - Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
2 - Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
2 - Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
2 - The Matrix Revolutions
2 - Howl's Moving Castle
2 - Ponyo
2 - Hero
2 - Boys Over Flowers
2 - Rookies
2 - One Piece Film Z
2 - One Piece Film Strong World
2 - Evangelion 3.0: You Can (Not) Advance
2 - Spider-Man 2
2 - Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
2 - The Da Vinci Code
2 - Alice in Wonderland
2 - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2 - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
2 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
2 - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
2 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
3 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 1
3 - The Wind Rises
3 - Toy Story 3
3 - Arrietty
3 - Tales from Earthsea
3 - Spider-Man 3
3 - Umizaru: Brave Hearts
3 - Umizaru: The Last Message
3 - Umizaru: Limit of Love
3 - Bayside Shakedown: Set the Guys Loose!
3 - Bayside Shakedown: Final
3 - Pokemon Diamond & Pearl: The Rise of Darkrai

Fastest to ¥3 billion (10 Days or Less)

Spoiler: show

5 - Howl's Moving Castle
5 - The Matrix Reloaded
5 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
6 - Spider-Man 3
6 - Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
6 - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
6 - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
7 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
7 - Spirited Away
7 - Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
8 - Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
8 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
8 - The Da Vinci Code
9 - Rookies
9 - Umizaru: The Last Message
9 - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
9 - Alice in Wonderland
9 - Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
9 - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
9 - Ponyo
10 - The Wind Rises
10 - One Piece Film Z
10 - Hero
10 - Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
10 - Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines

(Barely missing the ¥5 billion list was Monsters University at 26 days.)
Fastest to ¥5 billion (25 Days or Less)

Spoiler: show

10 - Howl's Moving Castle
11 - The Matrix Reloaded
12 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
13 - Spirited Away
14 - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
14 - Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
14 - Bayside Shakedown: Save the Rainbow Bridge!
15 - Alice in Wonderland
15 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
16 - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
16 - Ponyo
16 - The Da Vinci Code
16 - Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
17 - Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
17 - Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
17 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2
18 - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
18 - Spider-Man 3
18 - Rookies
20 - Umizaru: The Last Message
21 - The Wind Rises
21 - One Piece Film Z
21 - Hero
22 - Finding Nemo
22 - Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
22 - Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
22 - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
22 - Avatar
23 - Arrietty
24 - Toy Story 3
24 - The Last Samurai

Fastest to ¥10 billion (60 Days or Less)

Spoiler: show

25 - Spirited Away
28 - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
31 - Ponyo
33 - Howl's Moving Castle
35 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
37 - Alice in Wonderland
43 - Princess Mononoke
44 - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azakaban
48 - Bayside Shakedown: Save the Rainbow Bridge
50 - Avatar
52 - Finding Nemo
52 - Toy Story 3
52 - The Last Samurai
53 - Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
53 - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
57 - The Matrix Reloaded

Fastest to ¥15 billion (All)

Spoiler: show

36 - Spirited Away
38 - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
50 - Howl's Moving Castle
56 - Princess Mononoke
58 - Bayside Shakedown: Save the Rainbow Bridge
60 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
94 - Ponyo
103 - Avatar

Fastest to ¥20 billion (All)

Spoiler: show

61 - Spirited Away
121 - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
135 - Howl's Moving Castle

Fastest to ¥30 billion (All)

Spoiler: show

231 - Spirited Away

The Wind Rises, at it's current pace, should reach the ¥10 billion milestone during it's 50-55th day in release.

It's possible I've missed a few films on one or more of the lists (mostly those on the ¥1 billion list since I included up to 3 days in release), so I'll double check for more tomorrow.

There are also some big omissions including Titanic, Jurassic Park, Armageddon, Star Wars Episode I, and Bayside Shakedown 1, but there's not enough data on them. Before 2000, no grosses were included with the weekend rankings.

Corpse, was there ever an update for Bullet to the Head? This will be the final time that I ask.

Cinema Chain Rankings [8/17-18]

Aeon [74 theaters - 609 screens]
1 (1) The Wind Rises (Toho) Week 5
2 (3) The After-Dinner Mysteries (Toho) Week 3
3 (4) Monsters University (Disney) Week 7
4 (2) World War Z (Toho-Towa) Week 2
5 (-) White House Down (Sony) NEW

Toho [59 theaters - 567 screens]
1 (1) The Wind Rises (Toho) Week 5
2 (3) Monsters University (Disney) Week 7
3 (4) The After-Dinner Mysteries (Toho) Week 3
4 (2) World War Z (Toho-Towa) Week 2
5 (-) White House Down (Sony) NEW
6 (-) Star Trek Into Darkness (Paramount) NEW *PREVIEWS*
7 (7) A Boy Called H (Toho) Week 2
8 (6) The Lone Ranger (Disney) Week 3
9 (5) Pacific Rim (Warner Bros.) Week 2
10 (9) Pokemon Best Wishes: ExtremeSpeed Genesect - Mewtwo Awakens (Toho) Week 6

United [21 theaters - 205 screens]
1 (1) The Wind Rises (Toho) Week 5
2 (-) White House Down (Sony) NEW
3 (2) World War Z (Toho-Towa) Week 2

Sunshine [13 theaters - 97 screens]
1 (1) The Wind Rises (Toho) Week 5
2 (2) Monsters University (Disney) Week 7
3 (3) The After-Dinner Mysteries (Toho) Week 3
4 (4) Pacific Rim (Warner Bros.) Week 2
5 (-) White House Down (Sony) NEW

White House Down did pretty well for itself. Japan should be one of it's top markets, maybe even second behind China.

The 6th place ranking at Toho for the Star Trek Into Darkness previews is also quite strong, though it was playing at many locations during the weekend. Let's see how it performs when it opens next week.

I'm seeing the National Top 10 being: 1. The Wind Rises, 2. MU, 3. After-Dinner, 4. WWZ, 5. White House Down, 6. Boy H, 7. Pacific Rim, 8. Lone Ranger, 9. Pokemon, 10. Kamen Rider.

Nope. I don't know if we'll ever get a total, but I'll tell you.

Appreciated.

Weekend Ranking [8/17-18]



1 (1) The Wind Rises (Toho) Week 5
2 (3) Monsters University (Disney) Week 7
3 (4) The After-Dinner Mysteries (Toho) Week 3
4 (2) World War Z (Toho-Towa) Week 2
5 (-) White House Down (Sony) DEBUT
6 (7) A Boy Called H (Toho) Week 2
7 (6) The Lone Ranger (Disney) Week 3
8 (5) Pacific Rim (Warner Bros.) Week 2
9 (9) Pokemon Best Wishes: ExtremeSpeed Genesect - Mewtwo Awakens (Toho) Week 6
10 (8) Kamen Rider Wizard in Magic Land (Toei) Week 3
11 (10) Emperor (Shochiku) Week 4
12 (-) The Smurfs 2 (Toho-Towa) DEBUT

The Wind Rises makes it 5-consecutive weeks in 1st place, dropping just 7% once again this weekend. It earned ¥473,795,100 ($4.9 million) and 352,322 admissions during the weekend, bringing it's 30-day total over ¥7.2 billion ($74 million) and 5.8 million admissions. The film added approx. ¥1.6 billion ($17 million) and 1.3 million admissions over the past 7 days, up about 30% week-to-week.

Monsters University stayed strong during the holiday, too, moving back up to 2nd place and is estimated to be over ¥7.6 billion ($78 million) with nearly 6 million admissions after 44-days in release.

Moving up a spot from last week was The After-Dinner Mysteries, enjoying a very health Obon week to exceed ¥2 billion ($21 million) after 16-days in release. The film added nearly ¥1 billion ($10/11 million) over the past 7 days, up over 80% week-to-week.

And debuting in a decent 5th place, White House Down opened on 444 screens - earning ¥190,228,800 ($2.0 million) and 156,286 admissions over the weekend. Not a bad number at all, and it might be able to reach a ¥1 billion ($11/12 million) total.

The Smurfs 2 bombs as expected.

Blockbuster Showdown (2004-)
5th Wknd Gross - Film - 5-Week Total

¥851.3 million (+13%) - Ponyo - ¥9.94 billion
¥789.1 million (-17%) - Howl's Moving Castle - ¥9.76 billion
¥438.6 million (-16%) - Alice in Wonderland - ¥9.34 billion
¥433.1 million (-42%) - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - ¥8.52 billion
¥526.6 million (-23%) - Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End - ¥8.34 billion
¥351.7 million (-32%) - Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - ¥7.94 billion
¥317.1 million (-28%) - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - ¥7.92 billion
¥409.1 million (+11%) - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2 - ¥7.43 billion
¥473.8 million (-07%) - The Wind Rises - ¥7.28 billion
¥467.1 million (-29%) - Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - ¥7.10 billion
¥365.1 million (-27%) - The Da Vinci Code - ¥7.04 billion
¥436.6 million (-15%) - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King - ¥7.03 billion
¥518.4 million (+02%) - Avatar - ¥7.00 billion
¥520.8 million (-06%) - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - ¥6.95 billion
¥414.4 million (-33%) - Rookies - ¥6.78 billion
¥420.8 million (-32%) - Toy Story 3 - ¥6.66 billion
¥274.9 million (-29%) - Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith - ¥6.58 billion
¥478.8 million (+25%) - Arrietty - ¥6.47 billion

Most Admissions After 5 Weeks (2004-)

8.24 million - Ponyo (2008)
7.56 million - Howl's Moving Castle (2004)
6.82 million - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
6.43 million - Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)
6.35 million - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
6.14 million - Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006)
6.12 million - Alice in Wonderland (2010)
5.84 million - The Wind Rises (2013)
5.60 million - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
5.57 million - The Da Vinci Code (2006)
5.56 million - Rookies (2009)
5.45 million - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2004)
5.34 million - Arrietty (2010)
5.24 million - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 2 (2011)
5.18 million - Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (2005)
5.02 million - One Piece Film Z (2012)
4.66 million - Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011)
4.61 million - Avatar (2009)
4.53 million - Toy Story 3 (2010)

2013 Top Grossing Films
Total Gross / Admissions :: Film :: Days in Release :: Distributor

¥10 billion ↨
¥7.77 billion ($79.1 million) / 6.12 million :: Monsters University :: 44 :: Disney
¥7.28 billion ($74.7 million) / 5.84 million :: The Wind Rises :: 30 :: Toho
¥6.85 billion ($76.9 million) / 5.67 million :: One Piece Film Z :: Final Estimate :: Toei
¥6.11 billion ($67.7 million) / 4.96 million :: Les Miserables :: Final Estimate :: Toho-Towa
¥5 billion ↨
¥4.21 billion ($46.2 million) / 3.09 million :: Ted :: Final Estimate :: Toho-Towa
¥4 billion ↨
¥3.96 billion ($43.2 million) / 3.64 million :: Doraemon: Nobita's Secret Gagdet Museum :: Final Estimate :: Toho
¥3.61 billion ($36.9 million) / 3.01 million :: Detective Conan: Private Eye in the Distant Sea :: Final Estimate :: Toho
¥3.17 billion ($32.7 million) / 2.57 million :: Midsummer Formula :: 51 :: Toho
¥3.00 billion ($31.0 million) / 2.35 million :: Dragon Ball Z: Battle of Gods :: Final Estimate :: Toei
¥3 billion ↨
¥2.93 billion ($31.6 million) / 2.40 million :: Wreck-It Ralph :: Final Estimate :: Disney
¥2.82 billion ($32.4 million) / 2.21 million :: 007: Skyfall :: Final Estimate :: Sony
¥2.66 billion ($27.6 million) / 2.55 million :: Pokemon Wishes: ExtremeSpeed Genesect - Mewtwo Awakens :: 37 :: Toho
¥2.64 billion ($28.3 million) / 2.12 million :: Platinum Data :: Final Estimate :: Toho
¥2.60 billion ($26.7 million) / 1.77 million :: Iron Man 3 :: Tracking Ends :: Disney
¥2.15 billion ($23.9 million) / 1.73 million :: Strawberry Night :: Final Estimate :: Toho
¥2.06 billion ($21.4 million) / 1.76 million :: The After-Dinner Mysteries :: 16 :: Toho
¥2.03 billion ($22.3 million) / 1.49 million :: A Good Day to Die Hard :: Final Estimate :: Fox
¥2 billion ↨
¥1.98 billion ($20.4 million) / 1.52 million :: Fast and Furious 6 :: Tracking Ends :: Toho-Towa
¥1.84 billion ($21.3 million) / 1.28 million :: Life of Pi :: Final Estimate :: Fox
¥1.81 billion ($19.0 million) / 1.44 million :: Shield of Straw :: Final Estimate :: Warner Bros.
¥1.77 billion ($20.2 million) / 1.46 million :: Today, I Started Loving You :: Final Total :: Toho
¥1.75 billion ($18.9 million) / 1.25 million :: Oz: The Great and Powerful :: Final Estimate :: Disney
¥1.71 billion ($18.0 million) / 1.38 million :: Library Wars :: Final Estimate :: Toho
¥1.64 billion ($18.9 million) / 1.16 million :: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey :: Tracking Ends :: Warner Bros.
¥1.55 billion ($16.9 million) / 1.42 million :: Tokyo Family :: Final Estimate :: Shochiku
¥1.53 billion ($15.7 million) / 1.21 million :: The Lone Ranger :: 17 :: Disney
¥1.53 billion ($15.6 million) / 1.24 million :: Gintama: The Final Chapter :: 44 :: Warner Bros.
¥1.40 billion ($14.9 million) / 1.13 million :: Oblivion :: Tracking Ends :: Toho-Towa
¥1.30 billion ($13.3 million) / 1.13 million :: Crayon Shin-chan: Gourmet Survival Class :: Final Estimates:: Toho
¥1.25 billion ($13.9 million) / 0.99 million :: Brain Man :: Final Estimate :: Toho
¥1.24 billion ($12.8 million) / 0.94 million :: World War Z :: 9 :: Toho-Towa
¥1.21 billion ($13.5 million) / 1.02 million :: Hunter X Hunter: The Phantom Rouge :: Final Total :: Toho
¥1.18 billion ($12.9 million) / 1.02 million :: Aibou Series: X-Day :: Final Estimate :: Toei
¥1.17 billion ($13.3 million) / 0.99 million :: Humanoid Monster, Bem :: Final Total :: Toho
¥1.14 billion ($13.0 million) / 1.03 million :: Kamen Rider X Kamen Rider Fourze & Wizard :: Final Total :: Toei
¥1.12 billion ($11.6 million) / 0.89 million :: The Great Gatsby :: Tracking Ends :: Warner Bros.
¥1.07 billion ($11.3 million) / 0.87 million :: Jack Reacher :: Tracking Ends :: Paramount
¥1.05 billion ($11.0 million) / 0.98 million :: Pretty Cure All Stars: New Stage 2 :: Final Estimate :: Toei
¥1.02 billion ($10.8 million) / 0.83 million :: The Complex :: Tracking Ends :: Shochiku
¥1 billion ↑

Strong boost for all the holdovers this past week.

[The Wind Rises continues to increase it's lead over Arrietty and is on track for about ¥11 billion ($115 million). Again, it's going to be the first film in 3 years to reach ¥10 billion, and the first 2D release to do so in 5 years (which was also Miyazaki's last film, Ponyo, that did it).]

[Monsters University is aiming for a ¥9-9.5 billion ($92-97 million) total, and needs ¥9.38 billion to beat it's predecessor. It'd be great if it achieved the increasingly difficult barrier of ¥10 billion (or even ¥9.7 billion to reach $100 million+), but it's looking very tough. However, ¥9 billion is a huge gross very, very few were expecting it to reach. And since it's 3D share is undoubtedly below 20/25% now, it won't be far behind in admissions from the first film either.]

[Midsummer Formula will finish near ¥3.3 billion ($34/35 million); Pokemon with ¥3.1 billion ($32 million); After-Dinner might get close to ¥3 billion ($30 million); The Lone Ranger probably at ¥2.2 billion ($23/24 million); WWZ also around there (a little disappointing Holiday week for that one).]

Top Films in Japan (All-Time)
Revenue / Admissions

¥30.4 billion / 23.5 million - Spirited Away (Hayao Miyazaki, 2001)
¥26.2 billion / 16.8 million - Titanic (James Cameron, 1997)
¥22.0 billion / 15.0 million - Howl's Moving Castle (Hayao Miyazaki, 2004)
¥20.3 billion / 16.2 million - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Chris Columbus, 2001)
¥19.3 billion / 14.2 million - Princess Mononoke (Hayao Miyazaki, 1997)
¥17.4 billion / 12.6 million - Bayside Shakedown: Save the Rainbow Bridge! (Katsuyuki Motohiro, 2003)
¥17.3 billion / 14.0 million - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Chris Columbus, 2002)
¥15.6 billion / 10.1 million - Avatar (James Cameron, 2009)
¥15.5 billion / 12.9 million - Ponyo (Hayao Miyazaki, 2008)
¥13.7 billion / 12.1 million - The Last Samurai (Edward Zwick, 2003)
¥13.5 billion / 11.0 million - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Alfonso Cauron, 2004)
¥13.5 billion / 10.7 million - E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (Steven Spielberg, 1982)
¥13.4 billion / 8.9 million - Armageddon (Michael Bay, 1998)
¥12.9 billion / 8.6 million - Jurassic Park (Steven Spielberg, 1993)
¥12.7 billion / 8.3 million - Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (George Lucas, 1999)
¥11.8 billion / 7.4 million - Alice in Wonderland (Tim Burton, 2010)
¥10.5-11.5 billion / 8.3-9.2 million - The Wind Rises (Hayao Miyazaki, 2013) *Projection*
¥11.0 billion / 9.0 million - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Mike Newell, 2005)
¥11.0 billion / 8.6 million - Finding Nemo (Andrew Stanton, 2003)
¥11.0 billion / 8.0 million - Antarctic Story (Koreyoshi Kurahara, 1983)
¥11.0 billion / 7.7 million - The Matrix Reloaded (Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski, 2003)
¥10.9 billion / 8.4 million - Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (Gore Verbinski, 2007)
¥10.8 billion / 7.3 million - Toy Story 3 (Lee Unkrich, 2010)
¥10.7 billion / 7.8 million - Independence Day (Roland Emmerich, 1996)
¥10.3 billion / 7.6 million - The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (Peter Jackson, 2004)
¥10.1 billion / 7.0 million - Bayside Shakedown (Katsuyuki Motohiro, 1998)
¥10.0 billion / 7.8 million - Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (Gore Verbinski, 2006)

There are several films in the ¥11 billion target range. I'm hoping that The Wind Rises does well at the various Film Festivals (Venice, Toronto, New York, etc) it's being screened at or competing in this Summer/Fall to push it above that level.

And no need to adjust for inflation. Ticket prices have remained practically the same since the mid-80s.

Really Impressive for The Wind Rises.

Awesome numbers for The Wind Rises and MU

Corpse, how is Man of Steel tracking?, does it have a chance to overperform?

Christopher Nolan has gained a small niche following, and his name is helping the film garner some needed attention. But I don't see it doing much, probably aiming for a total of ¥1.5 billion (or $16 million), similar to Superman Returns.

I actually think Star Trek Into Darkness, which opens tomorrow, is going to beat it. I'm not sure if it or Gatchaman will dethrone The Wind Rises from 1st place, but it's looking fairly strong so far. The first film earned a dismal ¥600 million (I think that's like $8 million in 2009) after a mediocre opening and legs, so it's curious looking at these positive signs for the new film.

Gatchaman has an anime ongoing and this might help the movie

I know, but it's ticket sales at various locations before opening are well below comparative films like Yattaman, Space Battleship Yamato, and Kaibutsu-Kun. And it doesn't have as many showtimes or as many large auditoriums as it probably should have. I hope it does okay though. It's budget is rumored to be the highest of any local production also.

Hoping for Star Trek to do good in Japan. Corpse any chance of $20m total in Japan?

I doubt it goes that high, but if pre-sales are any indication, it'll handily beat the first film's debut and total.

I'll post the weekend forecast in about an hour.

Weekend Forecast [8/24-25]



1 (1) The Wind Rises (Toho) ¥325 million ($3.3 million) Week 6
2 (-) Star Trek Into Darkness (Paramount) ¥260 million ($2.7 million) DEBUT
3 (-) Gatchaman (Toho) ¥220 million ($2.3 million) DEBUT
4 (2) Monsters University (Disney) ¥175 million ($1.8 million) Week 8
5 (3) The After-Dinner Mysteries (Toho) ¥150 million ($1.6 million) Week 4
6 (4) World War Z (Toho-Towa) ¥135 million ($1.4 million) Week 3
7 (5) White House Down (Sony) ¥115 million ($1.2 million) Week 2
8 (8) A Boy Called H (Toho) ¥105 million ($1.1 million) Week 3
9 (7) The Lone Ranger (Disney) ¥100 million ($1.1 million) Week 4
10 (6) Pacific Rim (Warner Bros.) ¥95 million ($1.0 million) Week 3

The Wind Rises will more than likely remain on top for a 6th-consecutive weekend, though Star Trek Into Darkness could make things interesting.

The first Star Trek film must have gained some fans on DVD because Star Trek Into Darkness had solid pre-sales and looks to have a substantial increase over it's predecessor.

Things just aren't looking too good for Gatchaman unless it sees an unexpected amount old fans turn up right before most of it's showings. Pre-sales are poor which is alarming for this type of film, and with such a large budget, it looks destined to be the biggest financial disappointment of the year.

Most-Consecutive Weeks at #1 (1998-)

Spirited Away (16)
Armageddon (14)
Avatar (10)
Bayside Shakedown: Save the Rainbow Bridge (9)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (9)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (9)
Howl's Moving Castle (9)
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (9)
Alice in Wonderland (7)
Hero (7)
The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (7)
Spider-Man (7)
20th Century Boys: The Final Chapter (6)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (6)
Monsters Inc (6)
Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (6)
Ponyo (6)
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith (6)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (6)
The Matrix (6)
The Sixth Sense (6)
Umizaru: The Last Message (6)
Bayside Shakedown (5)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (5)
The Da Vinci Code (5)
Doraemon: Nobita's Great Merman Sea Battle (5)
Doraemon: Nobita and the Island of Miracles (5)
Finding Nemo (5)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (5)
I, Robot (5)
The Last Samurai (5)
Letters from Iwo Jima (5)
The Matrix Reloaded (5)
Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (5)
Negotiator: Mashita Masayoshi (5)
One Piece / Digimon Adventure 2 (5)
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (5)
Pokemon: Mewtwo Strikes Back! (5)
Red Cliff: Part I (5)
Saving Private Ryan (5)
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (5)
Umizaru: Brave Hearts (5)
The Wind Rises (5)

The Wind Rises is favored to obtain a 6th-consecutive weekend on top, and might snag a 7th-consecutive week next weekend as well. It'll depend on it's hold this weekend, but it'll still be tough for Man of Steel or Sadako 3D Part 2 to unseat it.

Assuming $2.7m OW for ST how much is the expected total? MoS is releasing too close to it so that might be a hindrance for its legs.