German director Wim Wenders has achieved his most successful box office performance in the last 15 years with his latest film, Perfect Days. This Japan-set drama, starring renowned Japanese actor Koji Yakusho, tells the story of a man who surprisingly chooses a simple life as a toilet cleaner, driven by his love for trees. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, where Yakusho won the prestigious Best Actor award.
Perfect Days is currently making waves on the international stage and has been short-listed for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2024 Academy Awards. The film is captivating audiences across various countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal, and the Baltics.
Perfect Days opened in Germany on December 21, distributed by DCM, and had an impressive debut week with 19,859 admissions, grossing $209,014 (€190,611). Since then, it has continued to gain traction, accumulating a total of 171,298 admissions and $1.8M (€1.64M) in revenue. In France, where the film has been running for seven weeks under Haut et Court, Perfect Days has sold an impressive 356,109 tickets, resulting in a gross income of $2.8M (€2.57M).
The film’s success is not limited to Germany and France alone. In Italy, Perfect Days opened at no. 2 in the box office charts for Lucky Red and has since attracted 142,007 admissions, grossing $1m (€962,450). The Match Factory, the film’s sales agent, proudly announced that the worldwide box office earnings for Perfect Days have already reached $8,566,110. These figures surpass the box office performances of Wenders’ previous films, marking a remarkable comeback for the director of renowned works like Wings Of Desire and Paris, Texas.
Perfect Days has further exciting releases lined up. This weekend, it will open in Spain and Sweden, extending its theatrical run to even more countries. In the coming weeks, it is set to launch in Norway, Denmark, Finland, Romania, Poland, Bulgaria, the UK & Ireland, Latin America, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. The film’s buzz from its Cannes premiere resulted in a sold-out distribution deal for The Match Factory, hinting at more theatrical releases throughout 2024.
Neon will bring Perfect Days to U.S. theaters on February 7, 2024, allowing American audiences to experience the film’s poignant story. With its remarkable performance at the box office and critical acclaim, Perfect Days is poised to leave a lasting impact on both the international film scene and the hearts of viewers worldwide. Wim Wenders has proven once again his talent for creating thought-provoking and emotionally resonant cinema.