The Impact of Chinese Box Office on a Sci-Fi Film’s Sequel Success

Pacific Rim saved by China

Pacific Rimdirected by Guillermo del Toro, was extremely anticipated when it was announced. However, once in the theater, it's a disillusionment. Shunned at the global box office, one country nevertheless stood out: China. The film grossed much more in Chinese theaters ($111 million) than in American theaters ($100 million). In fact, in the small world of Hollywood blockbusters, the reception of a title in China is akin to the predictions of an oracle.

Check out Pacific Rim: The Black on Netflix

Indeed, when a feature film is a hit in this country, it encourages productions to put together a sequel. This is what happened to the Pacific Rim license with its sequel released in 2018, Pacific Rim: Uprising. Guillermo del Toro having left the first opus behind to concentrate on The Shape of Water (Oscar winner), it's Steven S. DeKnight (Spartacus) who is at the helm of project entirely designed to please China. This decision was also motivated by the Chinese conglomerate Wanda Group which bought the company Legendary Entertainment, producer of the license.

Not so saved

With a lower budget, going from $190 million for the first opus to $150 million for the sequel, it was decided to hire a rising star from the latest Star Wars trilogy – John Boyega (Finn) – to direct the casting. Designed to appeal to the Chinese market, the title displeased the United States, bringing in only $59 million. However, the real goal was to capitalize on China… where the title also disappointed. Pacific Rim: Uprising ultimately only grossed $99 million.

Although this is not such a bad result, plans for a third installment were automatically canceled and forgotten, considered too risky by investors. While there's little chance of hearing about Pacific Rim again, a two-season anime called Pacific Rim: The Black is still available on Netflix for fans of the license.