China Box Office: ‘Once Upon a Time in the Middle East’ Dominates With $70 Million Weekend as Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’ Debuts Second

By Naman Ramachandran

Naman Ramachandran

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Dirty Monkeys’ war comedy-drama “Once Upon a Time in the Middle East” took command of the mainland China box office during the Aug. 14–16 weekend, grossing RMB477.9 million ($70.3 million) over the three-day frame, according to data from Artisan Gateway.

Following its Tuesday, Aug. 11 rollout and earlier previews, the production has amassed a cumulative total of $134.1 million. Directed by Wen Muye (“Dying to Survive”) from a screenplay co-written with Lang Qunli and Wei Zhong, the film stars Shen Teng as a Chinese chef who moves to the Middle East to open an eatery to pay off family debts. Alongside his floor manager, played by Jiang Qiming, their business turns into an unexpected sanctuary for local civilians and children when armed conflict erupts. The cast also features Aarif Rahman and Omar Sherif. From the Imax screens left over from the saturation “The Odyssey” release, “Once Upon a Time in the Middle East” collected $2.1 million.

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