Based on the data from Box
Office Mojo, Transformers 4: Age of Extinction got grossed over $1 billion in
global ticket sales. The
Hollywood Reporter mentions that Age of Extinction was the first film of
2014 to earn over $1 billion worldwide box office sales. However, according to Box
Office Mojo, the film only earned $245 in domestic box office sales. Given the
fact that the film’s production cost more than $210 million, Transformers 4
cannot claim success in its domestic market.
The
Hollywood Reporter also points out that Age
of Extinction defeated Avatar become the first film surpass $300 million ticket
sales in China. While China only has half the amount of screens as the US has, the film's sale in China is better than the US.
Comparing the box office performance of these two markets, which
shows the film was much more popular in China than it’s domestic market. Box
Office Mojo shows that 77% of the $1
billion in box office sales for Age of
Extinction came from its overseas markets. The domestic market only
contributed it’s 23%. In Transformers 4,
Michael Bay used more Chinese actors and actress and set some plot in Hong
Kong. It cost more money to produce and promote the film overseas. All of these contribute its worldwide box office sales success.
Compared to the highly competitive American market, it’s easier to
get higher sales in overseas markets. Series moves like Transformers
and Iron Man all got their benefits
overseas. However, Transformers 4’s success in the box office is not related its improvement in film art. Actually, I believe this kind of success in box office
will slow down the improvement of American’s film industry and the development
of film art. When the Hollywood producers realized the keys to getting success
in overseas markets, they will pay more attention to how to please the overseas
markets rather than improve its own production. That will lead the whole industry
into a terrible circle.
