Unexpected Phenomenon: Decades-Old Revenge Thriller Shatters Records, Set for $1 Million Success

Summary

The re-release of Oldboy is a box office success, outperforming its original run and gettig on track to earn $1 million.

The movie's success is remarkable considering its re-release, as typically only major blockbuster films are able to achieve similar results.

In the past, Oldboy's violent content received mixed reviews from critics, but its recent success indicates that audiences now appreciate the director's underlying message behind the brutality.

The re-release of Oldboy has surpassed its original run, generating momentum to earn $1 million at the box office. Originally released in 2003, Oldboy is an influential South Korean revenge thriller directed by the visionary filmmaker Park Chan-wook. It depicts the story of a man who, after enduring 15 years of captivity for unknown reasons, embarks on a quest for vengeance against his tormentors. In 2013, a less critically acclaimed American remake of the film with the same title was made. To commemorate its twentieth anniversary, Park's movie is now returning to theaters in a remastered re-release.

Oldboy's latest release has proven to be a success and is projected to reach the $1 million mark. According to Deadline, the re-release of Oldboy has already earned an estimated $880,000 within five days. This amount already surpasses the total domestic earnings of its initial run, which amounted to $707,000.

The Oldboy Re-Release's Success Is A Win for International Film

Oldboy’s achievement in its theatrical re-release is exceptional, considering that re-released films often have only moderate success at the box office. Typically, only blockbuster films of great magnitude achieve this level of success upon re-release. Recent examples include James Cameron’s Avatar and Titanic, both of which were already immense commercial hits in their initial runs. Therefore, for Oldboy, an international film, to surpass its original run in just five days is truly impressive.

While Oldboy was critically acclaimed at its time, it did not achieve the same level of success at the box office in the United States. The film's level of violence divided critics and raised questions about its necessity. It is notoriously brutal and bloody, with the protagonist wielding a hammer as a weapon. However, the recent success suggests that audiences in 2023 have a better understanding and appreciation of Park's intended message within each violent moment.

Oldboy’s success also signifies the growing recognition of international cinema in the United States. In the past, most international films were typically only shown in specialized art house theaters. However, with the success of acclaimed movies like the Oscar-winning "Parasite," this pattern is changing and international films are now being embraced by broader audiences. Although the progress may be gradual, the re-release of Oldboy is a positive step forward.