Generally, when considering blockbusters that have made a significant impact on the global box office, people often envision a limited range of movie genres. Although cinema encompasses an infinite variety, it’s usually action-packed blockbusters or animated family sequels that dominate the top box office earnings. These spectacle-driven productions offer the kind of large-scale excitement that draws audiences worldwide. Despite the turbulent 2020s cinema landscape, the highest-grossing films of the decade thus far, such as Spider-Man: No Way Home and Ne Zha 2, underscore that this trend remains unchanged.
Contrary to expectations, the movie “Dead to Rights,” directed by Shen Ao, has managed to be a major box office success this year, even though it falls under the historical drama genre, which is not typically associated with huge earnings in the U.S. market.
What is Dead to Rights?
One significant aspect of World War II was the Second Sino-Japanese War, a conflict between Chinese and Japanese forces. In simple terms, Japanese troops seized Chinese land in the early 1930s and expanded their occupation in 1937, capturing numerous territories. After seizing Nanjing, China’s capital at the time, a tragic event known as the Nanjing Massacre took place in December 1937. This massacre is the focus of the film “Dead to Rights.” The movie tells the compelling story of ordinary Nanjing resident Ah Chang (played by Liu Haoran), who works as a photo developer for Japanese forces but secretly shelters his fellow Nanjing residents while trying to get evidence of the massacre to the international community.
The Nanjing Massacre has been portrayed in Chinese cinema on several occasions, with notable examples like the critically acclaimed film “City of Life and Death” from 2009 and Zhang Yimou’s controversial movie “The Flowers of War,” featuring Christian Bale. However, these films are not numerous within the Chinese film industry, making any new portrayal significant. Previous movies dealing with this historical tragedy have contained aspects that made them less accessible to a broader audience, such as the black-and-white cinematography in “City of Life and Death.
In simpler terms, the action-drama film “Dead to Rights” offers a more mainstream, albeit intense portrayal of injustice. Its success is largely due to its lead actor, Liu Haoran, who’s one of the hottest and most profitable stars in China’s movie industry. After starring in hit movies like “My People, My Homeland” and “Detective Chinatown 3”, among others, Haoran has become a must-see actor for many. This explains why “Dead to Rights” has been such a box office sensation, although it’s still surprising to see a historical drama achieve such significant financial success.
The Box Office Achievements of Dead to Rights
From August 1st to 3rd, an unexpected event took place in the global box office scene. Despite the second weekend release of a costly Marvel Cinematic Universe project titled “ The Fantastic Four: First Steps“, it didn’t claim the top spot at the worldwide box office. Instead, that title was held by “ Dead to Rights“, which became the number one movie globally during this period with a substantial earnings of $82.4 million. As of now, it has amassed over $314 million in China alone and is projected to reach a final domestic total of at least $440 million within this region.
Following a disappointing year for the Chinese box office in 2024, the film “Dead to Rights” surpasses the worldwide number one movie of the year, “Ne Zha 2,” demonstrating that China can still generate blockbusters. Interestingly, “Dead to Rights” also shows that successful Chinese films don’t necessarily have to be action movies like “Wolf Warrior 2,” VFX-heavy disaster films such as “The Wandering Earth,” or even more period war titles like “The Battle at Lake Changjin.
Similar to how “American Sniper” surpassed “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part One” to emerge as 2014’s highest-grossing domestic film, a more realistic, character-driven drama like “Dead to Rights” has redefined what a blockbuster in China might look like. It’s intriguing to consider what other dramas could secure significant funding and promotion in the country following this film’s successful run. For the time being, however, it’s evident that “Dead to Rights” is set to be one of the most profitable films in 2025, particularly given the abundance of superhero movies and legacy sequels.
Dead to Rights begins playing in domestic movie theaters on August 15.
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2025-08-12 21:27