The Batman has secured a Chinese release date, which appears to be a rarity among Hollywood films as of late. The latest entry in the Batman film franchise is set to introduce an entirely new take on the famous superhero, as anticipation grows and early tracking indicates it could be the biggest opening weekend for a Batman movie domestically. Yet, given how Batman is an icon the world over, the demand to see his latest film is something shared the world over.
It appears Warner Bros. has found a way to make sure the film plays in one of the biggest film markets in the world. According to Deadline, The Batman has secured a Chinese release. No official date has been confirmed yet. This is the second major Hollywood film of 2022 to secure a Chinese release date, the first being Death on the Nile. This also comes as none of the Marvel movies released in 2021 were able to secure a Chinese release date as it appears the Marvel Studios films have an unofficial ban.
A Chinese release date is good news for The Batman, as the country is an important one for box office prospects of this new incarnation of the Caped Crusader. DC films have done well in China, as Aquaman grossed $291 million in China alone and, even with the COVID-19 pandemic, Wonder Woman 1984 grossed $25 million in China. The two prior Batman movie appearances, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League, grossed $95.8 million and $106 million respectively in China. Spider-Man: No Way Home has grossed $1.8 billion without China, so while a Chinese release date is not a necessity for success, The Batman having the release date gives it better odds of becoming one of 2022's highest-grossing films.
Source: Deadline
