Recently, the first quarter of releases tend to have the year’s highest grossing local film of the year. In 2017, Keeping Up with the Kandasamys racked up R12 million of it’s R16 million by the end of March and 2016 saw Vir Altyd racking up a staggering R15 million in the same time frame.  2018’s first quarter of local hasn’t delivered any dazzling feats of success but here are some interesting stats about the earners thus far.

BIGGEST OPENING WEEKEND – SUSTERS

Our biggest opening weekend comes courtesy of Easter Weekend as Susters debuts at No. 7 with a sum of R1 013 000 across 37 screens. Bolstered by the four day weekend Susters almost doubles it’s nearest local competitor, Inxeba opened with R599 000 on the Feb 2-4 weekend.

HIGHEST POSITION ON THE BOX OFFICE – INXEBA AND RAAISELKIND

Inxeba and Raaiselkind debuted and peaked at No. 6 in their respective weeks at the box office. Inxeba arrived at a higher sum compared to Raaiselkind’s R397 000, however Raaiselkind managed to maintain it’s peak position at No. 6 in it’s sophomore week whilst Inxeba slipped to No. 9.

MOST TIME SPENT IN TOP 10 – CATCHING FEELINGS AND RAAISELKIND

Catching Feelings and Raaiselkind both managed to last 3 weeks within the top 10 during their run at the box office. Catching Feelings is the only South African film this year to rise above its debut placing thus far. Catching Feelings debuted at No. 10 on the March 9 – 11 weekend, before rising to its current peak of No. 9 the following weekend.

THE COMEBACK KID – INXEBA

Inxeba’s run has been plagued with controversy that immensely affected its box office run. Shortly after it’s second weekend, the film received an R-Rating and was immediately taken off all circuits. For three weeks the film was stuck in limbo as the rating was contested, during this time the film was heavily pirated with illegal versions appearing on sites like YouTube. The film managed to have the ruling overturned and re-entered the box-office at No. 11 with a strong showing, under the circumstances, of R182 000.  Although it’s legal victory was not entirely a pyrrhic one, it’s box office run was destabilized as the film has been subsequently dropping rapidly since it’s return.

TOP EARNING FILM

Raaiselkind currently sits as the highest grossing local film of 2018 with a R2.00 million gross within it’s four week run at the box office. Inxeba follows closely at R1.92 million gross in with 6 non-consecutive weeks.