"The public at large has embraced this movie"
White people are helping Crazy Rich Asians reach $150 million at the domestic box office.
According to The Wrap, caucasian cinema-goers are helping Crazy Rich Asians reach a new milestone of earning $150 million at the domestic box office.
Crazy Rich Asians has already topped the US box office during its opening weekend earning $34 million and has broken an 11-year-old Labor Day Weekend record. Now, Jon M Chu’s film is on the verge of hitting the $150 million mark.
Whilst the success of the all-Asian cast film is of course largely due to Asian moviegoers who have championed the film, caucasian cinema-goers have also helped to boost numbers.
Asians made up 25% of the film’s opening night audience and 19% of the audience over its following three weeks.
Caucasians only made up 50% of the film’s opening night audience, which is below the 56.8% average but have since made up 60% by week three.
“While there is no doubt that Asians have outperformed, to me the bigger point is that the public at large has embraced this movie,” wrote Movio President Matthew Liebmann.
“It’s too soon to say whether this is the new normal, but at least in the case of ‘Crazy Rich Asians,’ a well-received rom-com (93% Rotten Tomatoes with an 84% audience score) has generated more than $136m by its fourth week not just by tapping into its immediate community but by attracting moviegoers who love this genre regardless of their ethnicity.”
In related news, Kim’s Convenience star Simu Liu has said he wants to play Carlton Bao in Crazy Rich Asians sequel China Rich Girlfriend.