'Crazy Rich Asians' makes box-office history, $34M debut for first all-Asian cast American film in 25 years

“Crazy Rich Asians” is a hit. Impressive. All those that thought an all Asian cast Hollywood summer movie wouldn't do well at the box-office have been sorely mistaken. The Wednesday-released film, directed by John Chu, pulled in an impressive 5-day total of $34 million. It topped the box-office. 

I was lukewarm on the film by saying in my review, "Instead of basking deeply into the traditions of his native country, Chu would rather go for an Americanized version of an Asian story. The narrative core chosen to tell the story, although based on author Kwan's luscious, award-winning vision, is a conventional one. To say Chu's film is groundbreaking for what’s on paper would be an understatement, but the story itself is rather antiquated."[Full Review] 

Nevertheless, I'm all for more movies like this happening, maybe with better source material or a less conventional screenplay.

Author Kwan had mentioned to me a few weeks ago that he declined a Netflix offer to stream the film because he wanted to release it in theaters and make history with it being an all-Asian cast Hollywood film (That has not happened since 1993's "The Joy Luck Club.") [Link]

Expect Kwan’s other novels in the ‘Asians’ series to receive the cinematic treatment as well, given the great box-office news from today, unless Kwan finally gives in to Netflix after making history with "Crazy Rich Asians."

1. Crazy Rich Asians — $25.2M ($34M Overall)
2. The Meg — $21M ($84M)
3. Mile 22 — $13.6M (Debut)
4. Alpha — $10.5M (Debut)
4. Mission: Impossible — $10.5M ($180.7M)
6. Disney’s Christopher Robin — $8.9M ($67M)
7. BlacKkKlansman — $7M ($23M)
8. Slender Man —$5M ($20.7M)
9. Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation — $3.7M ($154M)
10. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again — $3.4M ($111M)