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The 2008 film Twilight was Russia’s top-grossing movie in September, earning 340 million rubles after returning to theaters on September 17, RBC reported. Its takings exceeded those of two new releases, while the remaining films in the saga are scheduled for Russian theatrical rereleases from October through February.
The 2008 film Twilight was Russia’s highest-grossing movie in September, earning 340 million rubles after returning to theaters on September 17, RBC reported. The result put the vampire romance ahead of two new releases and marks the first time an older film has led the monthly box office in data tracked by Russia’s Unified Automated Information System, according to the report.
The first installment in the film saga stars Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. Its September rerelease drew enough ticket sales to outpace new Russian releases “How Ivan Ended Up in a Fairy Tale,” which earned 296 million rubles, and “The Ninth Planet,” which took in 183 million rubles, RBC reported. Those totals put Twilight 44 million rubles ahead of the second-place film.
The box-office figures were attributed to the Russian Cinema Fund’s Unified Automated Information System, known as EAIS. The system has tracked Russian theatrical box-office data since 2015. RBC reported that the monthly chart result is the first time an older movie has ranked first over the tracking period; the available reporting does not describe how the system defines an “older” film.
Maria Shcherbal, director of research firm Wanta Group, told RBC that nearly half of Twilight’s rerelease audience was 18 to 24 years old. She also described word of mouth as a major factor. For the film’s second week in theaters, 36% of viewers said they heard about it on social media, 29% from friends and acquaintances, and one in five cited recommendations as a reason for attending, she said.
A Rerelease Leads September Sales
Twilight’s position at the top of the monthly chart shows that a rerelease can compete with current releases for Russian theater audiences. Its 340 million-ruble gross exceeded the reported totals for both named new films, making the result more than a nostalgia-driven footnote: it shaped the month’s box-office ranking.
The reported audience data also point to interest among younger adults, not only people who first saw the film when it came out in 2008. Shcherbal’s figures suggest that social media and personal recommendations helped bring viewers in during the second week. They do not, on their own, establish why the film sold tickets overall or whether the same pattern will hold for other rereleases.
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The Saga Returns to Russian Screens
Twilight first opened in 2008 and launched a film series based on Stephenie Meyer’s vampire novels. Its return to Russian theaters began on September 17, giving the film a new theatrical run nearly 18 years after its original release year.
The reported chart is based on a system that has tracked theatrical box-office data since 2015. That provides the timeframe behind the claim that this is the first older film to top a monthly ranking in the system’s records; it does not establish that Twilight is the first rerelease ever to lead a box office chart in Russia or elsewhere.
““Word of mouth played a very big role here.””
— Maria Shcherbal, director of Wanta Group, speaking to RBC
What the Box Office Figures Do Not Show
The reported figures establish the monthly ranking and the films’ stated grosses, but the available report does not provide ticket counts, operating costs, or net revenue. It also does not clarify whether the totals include only the September run or how any earlier screenings are treated. Gross box-office receipts should not be read as profit.
The audience and word-of-mouth percentages are attributed to Shcherbal and concern viewers in Twilight’s second week. The report does not give the survey’s sample size or methodology, nor does it establish how much each source of awareness contributed to total attendance. The reason the rerelease ranked first, beyond the reported audience feedback, remains uncertain.
More Twilight Films Scheduled
According to the report, the other films in the Twilight saga are due back in Russian theaters from October through February. Those releases will provide further opportunities to see whether the first film’s September performance carries over to the rest of the series.
No future grosses or audience forecasts were included in the report. The next clear milestones are the subsequent rerelease dates and their box-office results; until those figures are reported, it remains unknown whether another installment will approach or exceed the first film’s September total.
Key Questions
How much did Twilight earn in Russia in September?
RBC reported that the film grossed 340 million rubles after returning to Russian theaters on September 17.
Which new releases did it beat?
It outgrossed “How Ivan Ended Up in a Fairy Tale,” reported at 296 million rubles, and “The Ninth Planet,” at 183 million rubles.
Was Twilight the first older film to top the monthly chart?
According to RBC, citing EAIS data, it was the first older film to lead a monthly box-office ranking in the system’s records, which date back to 2015. That claim applies to the tracked data described in the report.
Who went to see the rerelease?
Wanta Group director Maria Shcherbal told RBC that nearly half of viewers were 18 to 24. She said social media, friends and acquaintances, and recommendations were reported sources of awareness during the second week.
Will the rest of the Twilight films return to Russian theaters?
Yes. The report says the remaining films in the saga are scheduled for Russian theatrical rereleases from October through February. Their eventual box-office results are not yet known.
Source: rss
