The Animated Film Gains Momentum in South Korea and North America

Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea

"Elemental," the latest release from Disney and Pixar, has maintained its stronghold at the weekend box office for the third consecutive week, according to data released on Monday.

The film secured the top spot, selling an impressive 800,453 tickets from Friday to Sunday, as reported by the Korean Film Council.

Although "Elemental" initially debuted at No. 3 in the domestic box office rankings, it steadily gained momentum thanks to positive word of mouth. Since the second week of its theatrical release on June 14, the film has claimed the weekend box office throne, accumulating a remarkable 3.4 million admissions thus far.

In North America, "Elemental" faced a slower opening weekend compared to previous releases, marking its lowest performance since 1993. However, the film quickly rebounded, earning an impressive $109.2 million and becoming the first original animated film since 2018 to surpass the $100 million mark.

Set in the enchanting Elemental City, where the four elements coexist in harmony but isolation, the film centers around the love story between water element Wade Ripple (Mamoudou Athie) and fire element Ember Lumen (Leah Lewis). Despite their contrasting natures, the two must collaborate to save Ember's family business, showcasing the power of unity.

Expressing gratitude for the film's success, director Peter Sohn conveyed a heartfelt message in a video released by Walt Disney Company Korea on Saturday. He stated, "Thank you so much for your support of our film 'Elemental.' The film is a love letter to my parents who emigrated from Korea to America before I was born. They worked so hard to create a good life for me and my brother while also sharing the culture and traditions with us. To see the film embraced by audiences in Korea means so much."

In second place at the weekend box office was the action thriller "The Roundup: No Way Out," captivating an audience of 170,197 moviegoers. The film has accumulated an impressive total of 10.53 million admissions as of Sunday.

Starring the renowned actor Ma Dong-seok, also known as Don Lee, and directed by Lee Sang-yong, "The Roundup: No Way Out" revolves around detective Ma Seok-do as he relentlessly pursues a local drug ring, grappling with the emergence of a new illicit substance infiltrating local clubs.

Following closely in third place was "Mission: Impossible ― Dead Reckoning Part One" (2023), which received early fan screenings ahead of its official release on July 12. Garnering approximately 166,220 admissions over the weekend, the film takes audiences on another thrilling mission with Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his IMF team as they race against time to prevent a dangerous weapon from falling into the wrong hands.

With "Elemental" continuing to captivate audiences worldwide and the box office landscape experiencing a resurgence, the film industry eagerly anticipates the next wave of cinematic successes as audiences flock back to theaters.

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