In a groundbreaking achievement for Saudi cinema, the thriller “Mandoob” has emerged victorious over Hollywood blockbuster “Wonka” at the Saudi box office. The film, directed by Saudi cinema pioneer Ali Kalthami and produced by studio Telfaz11, secured the top spot with a record-breaking opening, marking the highest-grossing debut for a local film in the territory.
Premiering positively at the Toronto International Film Festival in September and later at the Red Sea Film Festival in Jeddah, “Mandoob” tells the gripping story of Fahad, a man who turns to illegal booze running after losing his job in a call center. As he navigates the underworld of Riyadh to save his ailing father, the film resonated with audiences, garnering 114,000 admissions and a remarkable $1.58 million in box office revenue since its release on December 14.
In comparison, Warner Bros’ “Wonka” trailed behind in second place, amassing approximately 38,000 admissions and a total box office intake of $616,000. Studio Ghibli’s “The Boy and the Heron” secured the third spot in the rankings.
Front Row Arabia, a joint venture between distributor Front Row Filmed Entertainment and local exhibitor Muvi Cinemas, reported the impressive success of “Mandoob.” This collaboration previously achieved significant acclaim with the release of the action comedy “Sattar,” also produced by Telfaz11, which garnered over 900,000 admissions and set a record-breaking $11 million gross, the highest ever for a Saudi feature.
“Mandoob” stands out not only for its storytelling but also for its technical achievements, being mastered for theatrical release in both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos—a notable first for Saudi and Arabic cinema.
Director Ali Kalthami expressed his delight at the overwhelming response, stating, “We took a leap into uncharted territory, exploring a new genre, and witnessing the audience’s enthusiastic embrace of the film is immensely gratifying.” He looks forward to continuing to push boundaries and create impactful narratives in the Saudi film scene.
Gianluka Chakra, CEO of Front Row, highlighted the significance of “Mandoob’s” success, stating, “The exceptional results of ‘Mandoob’ prove once again that local-language films are ready to take over from Hollywood in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” Despite only constituting 13% of releases in 2023, local-language films secured over 36% of the box office, indicating a steady growth trend in recent years. Chakra extended congratulations to the Telfaz11 and Muvi Studios teams for the film’s remarkable achievements, emphasizing the exciting prospects for Arab cinema in the region.
