In a nostalgic move, the iconic and multi-Oscar-winning film “La La Land” is making a comeback in mainland Chinese cinemas on December 22. Lionsgate oversees the worldwide release, while local distributor JL Film takes the reins for the China re-release.
Directed by Damien Chazelle and starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, “La La Land” holds the box office record for movie musicals, grossing $470 million globally, with $35 million of that coming from China.
The decision to re-release the film on its seventh anniversary holds special significance for some Chinese audiences, as seven years symbolize a commitment to sticking together for a lifetime.
JL Film, a rapidly growing foreign film investment company, expressed excitement about bringing back the beloved film to Chinese audiences. Ricky Qi, president of JL Film, stated, “As one of the numerous loyal fans of ‘La La Land’ in China, I am honored and proud to be able to re-release this wonderful film. We look forward to bringing ‘La La Land’ to a large number of Chinese fans.”
The pre-Christmas to New Year period is a peak season for box office in China, driven by company outings and voucher schemes with a calendar year expiry. Traditionally, this period is reserved for Hollywood holdovers and blockbuster Chinese titles, making it a strategic choice for the re-release.
Wendy Reeds, Lionsgate executive VP of international sales, expressed enthusiasm, saying, “’La La Land’ has so many fans across the world, and that’s especially true of China, where audiences have embraced its timeless love story and song-and-dance magic. We’re thrilled that moviegoers can experience it again on the big screen.”
The re-release of “La La Land” is part of the inaugural series of re-released films under China Film’s segmented distribution initiative. A spokesperson from China Film Group shared optimism about the film’s box office success in China, stating, “‘La La Land’ holds a special place in the hearts of Chinese audiences. As we celebrate its seventh anniversary with this re-release, we are optimistic about its box office success in China.”
