Available on Netflix in several countries around the world, the film “Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Kingdom” by Guillaume Canet has risen to the top 10 international non-English language films.
Second biggest success of 2023 at the French box office with 4.6 million spectators (behind Super Mario Bros, the film), Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Empire was also one of the most criticized films of the ‘year. Critics and the public have not been kind to the new version of the adventures of the famous Gaul on the big screen by Guillaume Canet.
With an estimated budget of 65 million euros, Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Empire would not be profitable according to analysts who estimated that it needed to at least exceed 6 million tickets sold. The French actor, screenwriter and director nevertheless assured, in the columns of the Sunday newspaper a few days ago, it was “absolutely not a failure”.
If the figures are perhaps less strong than expected, Guillaume Canet considers that he has won his bet, especially since he emphasizes that“it has been sold all over the world and to date has made more than 2 million admissions internationally, with boxes in Europe, in Poland for example”.
The film Asterix by Guillaume Canet is a hit on Netflix
And it is true that internationally, Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Empire, renamed Asterix & Obelix: The Middle Kingdom, has conquered a certain audience. Especially since the feature film is available on Netflix in some countries.
If we rely on the data revealed by the American giant, Guillaume Canet’s film has accumulated almost 6 million hours of viewing worldwide (as of May 21, 2023).
netflix
Last week, this new Asterix film was in the top 10 of 14 countries, including South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Jamaica, New Zealand and Uruguay, and has hoisted to 5th place in the world’s top 10 foreign language films (non-English).
As a reminder, this fifth Asterix in live action takes place in 50 BC Princess Fu Yi (Julie Chen), only daughter of the Empress of China (Linh-Dan Pham) imprisoned following a coup fomented by Deng Tsin Quin (Bun-Hay Mean), will ask for help from the two brave warriors Asterix (Guillaume Canet) and Obelix (Gilles Lellouche) to save his mother and reconquer China.
However, Caesar (Vincent Cassel) and his powerful army, always thirsty for conquest, have also taken over the leadership of the Middle Empire…
And if we are to believe the reactions of foreign Internet users on social networks, Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Empire has been well received by Netflix subscribers around the world.
Translation: “MASTERPIECE. ASTERIX AND OBELIX ON NETFLIX. VERY GOOD.”
Translation: “The fact that this is an untold story (not based on the comics) is felt. It lacks the typical timing of Goscinny and Uderzo’s humor. But, for those who are fans, the film finds some grace, not least thanks to the cast. On Netflix.”
Translation: “A must see, for all fans of Asterix & Obelix! On Netflix.”
Translation: “I just want to say that the Asterix movie on Netflix is adorable and more faithful to the books than any previous iteration. Vincent Cassel is an amazing Julius Caesar, they got the pirates right and the puns are brilliant. “
Translation: “I’m in this energy with the film Asterix and Obelix which has just been released on Netflix. The film is very funny and brings up an absurd nostalgia for the films that were screened in the afternoon session. Very good! “
Translation: “If you loved Asterix and Obelix when you were little, treat yourself to the film on Netflix.”
This is not the first time that a French film released in cinemas has found a second audience on Netflix. At the end of 2021, it was Pourris Gâtés, worn by Gérard Jugnot, Camille Lou and Artus, renamed Spoiled Brats abroad, which had been a hit on the platform, accumulating 10 million views for its first weekend. end in the world.
For the French public who would like to see or see again Asterix and Obelix: The Middle Empire, it will be necessary to wait until June for the release on DVD and Blu-ray and in August on CANAL +, the first broadcaster in SVOD according to the media timeline.