Japan’s movie industry reached record high in 2010

The Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan (Eiren) has published its annual report on the movie industry, based on data from 2010. The success of 3D films such as “Avatar” helped boost the industry’s box office gross by 7.1% from last year, setting a new all-time record at ¥220.7 billion. The previous record was set in 2004 at ¥210.9 billion.

The total number of films released once again dropped, from 762 in 2009 to 716 in 2010. However, total theater attendance again increased, rising from 169 million tickets in 2009 to 174 million in 2010.

The top three films of the year all came from overseas: “Avatar,” “Alice in Wonderland,” and “Toy Story 3.” However, Japanese films overall still managed to account for a majority (53.6%) of the industry’s revenue for a third consecutive year, though that percentage has dropped from the 56.9% share in 2009.

It was previously reported that Toho was responsible for the top ten domestic films of 2010, but Toei’s newest “One Piece” film actually ranked at #4.

Domestically, 29 films earned more than 1 billion yen. The highest grossing movies were:

1. Karigurashi no Arrietty (¥9.25 billion)
2. THE LAST MESSAGE: Umizaru (¥8.04 billion)
3. Odoru Daisousasen THE MOVIE 3 (¥7.31 billion)
4. One Piece Film: Strong World (¥4.80 billion)
5. Pocket Monster Diamond & Pearl: Genei no Hasha Zoroark (¥4.16 billion)
6. Nodame Cantabile: Saishuu Gakushou Zenpen (¥4.10 billion)
7. Kokuhaku (¥3.85 billion)
8. Nodame Cantabile: Saishuu Gakushou Kouhen (¥3.72 billion)
9. SP: Yabou-hen (¥3.63 billion)
10. Meitantei Conan: Tenkuu no Lost Ship (¥3.20 billion)
11. Doraemon: Nobita's Great Battle of the Mermaid King (¥3.16 billion)
12. Hanamizuki (¥2.83 billion)
13. LIAR GAME: The Final Stage (¥2.36 billion)
14. Ooku (¥2.32 billion)
15. Otouto (¥2.10 billion)
16. Akunin (¥1.98 billion)
17. TRICK: Reinoryokusha Battle Royale (¥1.86 billion)
18. BECK (¥1.76 billion)
19. 13 Assassins (¥1.60 billion)
20. Kamen Rider x Kamen Rider Double & Decade (¥1.54 billion)
21. Kimi ni Todoke (¥1.53 billion)
22. Kamen Rider Double / Tensou Sentai Goseiger (¥1.47 billion)
23. Kamen Rider x Kamen Rider x Kamen Rider Cho-Den-O Trilogy (¥1.31 billion)
24. Crayon Shin-chan: Chou Jikuu! Arashi wo Yobu Ora no Hanayome (¥1.25 billion)
25. The Incite Mill (¥1.22 billion)
26. Golden Slumber (¥1.15 billion)
27. Precure All Stars DX2: Kibou no Hikari Rainbow Jewel wo Mamore (¥1.15 billion)
28. Gintama: Shinyaku Benizakura-Hen (¥1.07 billion)
29. Naruto Shippuden: The Lost Tower (¥1.03 billion)

Among foreign films, there were 19 that crossed the 1 billion yen mark. The top earners were:

1. Avatar (¥15.6 billion)
2. Alice in Wonderland (¥11.8 billion)
3. Toy Story 3 (¥10.8 billion)
4. Up (¥5.00 billion)
5. Resident Evil: Afterlife (¥4.70 billion)
6. Inception (¥3.50 billion)
7. Oceans (¥2.50 billion)
8. Knight and Day (¥2.31 billion)
9. Sherlock Holmes (¥2.16 billion)
10. Salt (¥2.05 billion)
11. Sex and the City 2 (¥1.74 billion)
12. Shutter Island (¥1.70 billion)
13. Clash of the Titans (¥1.58 billion)
14. The Karate Kid (¥1.52 billion)
15. Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (¥1.42 billion)
16. Sayonara Itsuka (¥1.20 billion)
17. Iron Man 2 (¥1.20 billion)
18. Despicable Me (¥1.20 billion)
19. The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (¥1.00 billion)

Source:
Eiren