Dragon Ball Z is one of those shows that's nostalgically associated with running towards the television after getting home from school. While it wasn't a part of the classic Nickelodeon vs. Disney Channel debate, it was a show that spanned generations and was lauded in countries across the globe. The anime series' lasting effect can also be seen in the frequent collaborations they continue to do with BAPE.
So to no one's surprise, the franchise's 20th installment Dragon Ball Super: Broly, which premiered on Jan 16, was welcomed with a profitable and critically acclaimed debut. The new anime feature opened as the no. 1 movie in the U.S. in addition to earning $7M+ at the box office. According to Funimation Films, the theatrical division of Sony Pictures Television’s Funimation, "The film’s $7M+ box office also sets a new opening day record for Funimation Films. The previous record was $1.97M set in 2015 by “Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’,” the 19th Dragon Ball film."
The film is centered around Saiyan Broly, the anti-hero who made his first appearance in the 1993 film Dragon Ball Z: Broly - The Legendary Super Saiyan. After Broly acquires a newfound power, he challenges the film's heroes Goku and Vegeta. According to critics, the 2019 film reinvisions Broly's character, in addition to laying the groundwork for an upcoming sequel.
The anime film, which premiered on 1,440 screens across the U.S., also notably secured the number one spot among the Top 10 movies with a $5,695 per screen average. Its gross earnings makes it the 5th highest earning anime theatrical opening of all time.
Gen Fukunaga, CEO and President of Funimation spoke to the film's success and thanked fans for continuously supporting the franchise. “Both anime and mainstream audience response to ‘Dragon Ball Super: Broly’ has been overwhelmingly positive. We anticipated a strong opening, but we’re thrilled that the box office exceeded even the high end of our estimate,” he said. "Fans are at the core of our strategy for this film."
