Chinese War Comedy 'Once Upon a Time in the Middle East' Hits $305.6 Million
Dirty Monkeys' war comedy-drama 'Once Upon a Time in the Middle East' has crossed the $300 million mark at the Chinese box office, with a cumulative total of $305.6 million. It remained the top-grossing film for the fourth straight weekend, earning $12.1 million over the Sept. 4-6 period. The film, directed by Wen Muye, follows a debt-ridden Chinese chef who transforms his restaurant into a refuge during regional conflict.
The latest weekend gross of RMB82.6 million was reported by Artisan Gateway, marking a fourth consecutive frame at number one. Since its August 11 premiere, the feature has accumulated $305.6 million.
Director Wen Muye, recognized for "Dying to Survive," co-authored the screenplay with Lang Qunli and Wei Zhong. The plot follows Shen Teng's chef character, who, alongside floor manager Jiang Qiming, converts his establishment into a sanctuary for civilians and orphans during regional unrest, with Aarif Rahman and Omar Sherif also starring.
This box office milestone could signal a growing appetite among Chinese audiences for genre-blending narratives that tackle serious geopolitical themes through comedy. The film's success may encourage studios to fund more risk-taking productions that mix war settings with humor, potentially broadening the range of stories told. Additionally, its strong performance might influence how international distributors view Chinese commercial cinema, though the specific cultural resonance of the conflict backdrop remains a key factor.