Disney's 'Raya And The Last Dragon' fails to soar in China

No celebration for 'Raya' as China shows little love for the film despite its emphasis on Asian representation. Photo: Handout

Despite its emphasis on Asian representation and South-East Asian themes, Disney's Raya And The Last Dragon failed to soar in China, coming in third with just US$8.4mil, according to Maoyan data.

While the sum might look respectable in other pandemic-stricken locales, it falls short in China's recovered movie market, which has set box office world records already in 2021. Although it was the only new title of note to premiere this weekend, Raya made less in its three-day China opening than Warner Bros.' hybrid live-action animation Tom And Jerry did last weekend, when earnings of $12.4mil allowed it to squeak in a narrow fifth place debut.