‘Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze Arc‘ Repeats as Korea Box Office Champion
The anime phenomenon Chainsaw Man The Movie: Reze Arc has secured its second consecutive weekend atop the South Korean box office, cementing its status as 2024’s breakout anime hit. The MAPPA-produced film earned ₩3.2 billion ($2.4 million) from June 7-9, pushing its 17-day cumulative total to ₩12.8 billion ($9.6 million).
Why This Anime Film Is Breaking Records
Adapted from Tatsuki Fujimoto’s ultra-violent manga, Reze Arc delivers:
– Breathtaking animation of iconic manga battles
– The fan-favorite “Bomb Girl” storyline
– 30% premium format screenings (IMAX, 4DX)
Korean theaters report:
✔ 78% average occupancy rate
✔ 42% of viewers aged 18-24
✔ Strong repeat viewings (23% of tickets)
Box Office Battle Royale
| Film | Weekend Gross | Total Gross |
|——-|————–|————-|
| Chainsaw Man | ₩3.2B | ₩12.8B |
| Furiosa | ₩1.8B (-52%) | ₩28.6B |
| The Roundup 4 | ₩1.5B (-41%) | ₩86.3B |
Industry analyst Park Ji-young notes: “Anime films now account for 19% of Korea’s 2024 box office – a 300% increase from 2019. Chainsaw Man benefits from perfect timing between anime seasons and weak local competition.”
4 Key Factors Driving Its Success
- Strategic Release Date
- Opened during school exam period (targeting students)
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No major anime competitors until July
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Next-Level Fan Engagement
- TikTok challenges recreating Denji’s transformations
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Limited-edition popcorn buckets sold out nationwide
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Critical Acclaim
- 94% audience score on Korean platform CGV
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Called “MAPPA‘s best work since Jujutsu Kaisen 0” by Cine21
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Merchandise Boom
- Collaborations with Korean streetwear brands
- Theater-exclusive manga volumes
Upcoming Box Office Threats
While Chainsaw Man eyes ₩20B, looming challengers include:
– June 12: Kingdom: Ashin of the North (live-action anime)
– June 19: Inside Out 2 (Pixar’s animation juggernaut)
– July 3: Deadpool & Wolverine (Marvel’s R-rated wildcard)
CJ CGV programmer Kim Min-ho predicts: “We’re extending Reze Arc‘s premium screens through June 18. The ¥20B milestone is achievable if it maintains 45%+ occupancy.”
