Black Panther might still open in China.

I don't think money is the sole motivation to open in China. Chinese theaters take bigger cut from ticket sales then American Theaters. Don't get me wrong the Studio, Distributors and Production Co. want to make money. it's just harder to  turn a profit there. There is still overhead when showing a movie in China, so obviously they want as much ticket sales in China as possible.

Opening in China has 3 big pro's and one big con. First Pro, even though it's harder to turn a profit in China. There is money to be made there, and China is the second largest Movie Market. (US number 1) Second, good performance in China can influence other Markets. If it does well in China and other markets open after China the good will can spread. Last pro is this is a very vain industry, looks are everything. Be it physical beauty or how a movie is received. China pads the World Wide Gross, it makes the movie makers look good. It's a matter of Pride. Bonus Pro Sometimes China can save a movie by going above and beyond what  is normally expected. WarCraft anyone?



The main con is pretty much the opposite of the pros in one big con. The risk of Bombing in China. If it bombs and opens up before other markets at the same time it could be devastating. So you risk every time you open there. Bombing there can sour the word of mouth. Bad press can spread from China and effect other markets. And most notably with poor potential in the market to begin with you are risking tanking a movie there for less profit. So yeah big huge con. If it flops you damage world wide gross, profit, and pride.


It's worth the risk obviously to open in China or Studios and Distributors wouldn't go there.  I don't know how accurate the racist situation in China is. The execs would though. if they think the risk is worth it, then yeah you take the money and run vs not opening there at all. 40 million is better than nothing as long as it doesn't taint the well for the rest of the world.