It appears the spy anime film SPY×FAMILY Code: White is not performing as well as expected in the United States and, of course, it isn’t performing anywhere near as well as it did in Japan where it premiered in December at #1 at the box office, and has since grossed $40.6 million.
Now, I don’t usually keep an eye on U.S. box office numbers, as I am only concerned with if an anime is worth watching. Or not.
But this one caught my attention as both the SPYxFAMILY anime series and the manga it’s based on are ones I have thoroughly enjoyed, and so will be heading to see its current film SPY×FAMILY Code: White this weekend.
But, according to Box Office Mojo, not only has SPY×FAMILY Code: White already dropped from #5 to 12th place at the U.S. box office in its second week, it also did not earn what the anime film was projected to earn over its opening weekend.
That projection, by the way, was between $5-$8 million gross over opening weekend, with the film earning $4.9 million — falling slightly short of even the lowest number in that projection.
Poor reviews for SPY×FAMILY Code: White?
Of course, you could say reviews for the film might have something to do with that disappointment, as the film is currently rated a low 7.4 out of 10 by IMDB users.
But, if you then head to Rotten Tomatoes, the anime film is currently running at 96% positive critic reviews and 98% positive audience reviews.
So there’s that.
Whatever the reason SPY×FAMILY Code: White has dropped to #12 at the U.S. box office, as of today it has finally grossed $7,075,120 during its first 10 days.
Still below the top end of the original projection for its opening weekend, but getting there.
According to Box Office Mojo, the film’s gross is also down 68% week on week, which suggests it will fall off even more rapidly from here.
That being said, my wife and I plan on seeing it this weekend and hope other SPYxFAMILY Code: White won’t let the falling box office numbers dissuade them either.
Particularly as one of the Rotten Tomatoes viewers stressed:
Great story as always. Love this anime. The voice actors were excellent! Went as a family and we all loved it, Grandma, Grandpa, Son and Grandson, ages 24 to 73!