Headlines From China: ‘F9’ Revs Up May 21 China Release

‘F9’ Revs Up May 21 China Release

Fuel-injecting some mega-muscle into the international box office landscape, Universal’s F9 has been set for a May 21 release date in China, a full five weeks before it is due to speed out domestically on June 25. The early offshore release dates reflect the recovery of — and confidence in — overseas markets, notably in Asia, where it’s been demonstrated that audiences are eager to return to cinemas when there is significant product available. And F9 certainly fits the event-level bill. China has, over the past several years, become the top overseas market for the franchise with more than $1B across five films including spinoff Hobbs & Shaw. Read more Deadline

South Korea and Japan Emerge as Key Battlegrounds in the Streaming Wars

Netflix has invested hundreds of millions to capitalize on the massive global popularity of K-drama and Japanese anime, and now HBO Max and Disney+ are entering the fray. The investments, analysts say, signal the unique international appeal of the two content categories as well as the growing importance of Asia to Netflix’s future — particularly amid rising competition and plateauing subscriber expansion in the U.S. and Europe. Netflix’s massive spending and first-mover status, however, will make other streamers’ growth efforts in the region somewhat more complicated, analysts and insiders say. Read more The Hollywood Reporter