Although Toy Story 4 is projected to have the best opening in the franchise, a re-release of Studio Ghibli's 2001 film Spirited Away will beat the new movie in China.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Spirited Away has already earned $4.7 million at the box office in the country as compared to Toy Story 4's $1.5 million. That outlet projects Toy Story 4 is unlikely to overcome Spirited Away at the box office. Both totals are expected to climb significantly.
Spirited Away's release in Japan is part of a series of re-releases of Studio Ghibli films, as none were originally distributed in the country, officially at least. Due to piracy in the country, visionary Hayao Miyazaki's movies have a solid fanbase, which resulted in the re-release of 1993's My Neighbor Totoro earning $25.8 million last year.
Toy Story 4 is the first film in the franchise to receive a theatrical release in the country, which might explain its comparatively low take.
Spirited Away tells the story of 10-year-old Chihiro Ogino, a human who, along with her parents, gets trapped in the spirit world. Based on Japanese Shinto folklore, the movie follows Chihiro's attempt to escape the realm with her parents. The movie is often considered one of the greatest of animated films ever made and earned approximately $290 million against a budget of between $15 and $19 million.
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Directed by Josh Cooley, Toy Story 4 stars Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Keanu Reeves, Annie Potts, Don Rickles, Estelle Harris, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Jeff Pidgeon, Blake Clark, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele and Tony Hale. The movie is in theaters now.