A Chinese animation movie that cost $200 to make and was labeled as “worse than AI” has actually become a viral hit, making around $4 million at the box office.
Over the years, there have been plenty of low-budget movies that have gone on to become hits. The original Paranormal Activity cost $15,000 to make and made that back in droves, while Moonlight had a budget of just $1.5 million and went on to win best picture at the Oscars.
Now, there is a new contender in the mix. Back on August 15, the Chinese movie Niu Lai started going viral because no one was turning up to see it. At that point, the animated movie had attracted 200 viewers and made around $1,000.
The animated movie was also labeled as “worse than AI” and potentially the worst movie of all time. However, it has become a social media hit, and people are now lining up to see it.
Niu Lai movie keeps raking in money #
As per stats in China, cinemas have started adding additional screenings of the movie, and its total box office earnings have crept up towards $4 million.
According to The China Academy, there are forecasts that it could end up making around $14 million, with all of the marketing coming from social media mocking.
Cinemas have had hand-drawn posters put up to advertise that they’re showing the movie – which translates to “the bull is coming” – while others have used AI posters on social media.
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The animated movie is set to be the most profitable in history on the budget-to-box-office takings ratio. It won’t make as much as say The Odyssey, but it’s much smaller budget allows for some records.
It is unlikely to get an international release, so people outside of China will have to rely on clips being uploaded to social media – which has already been the case.