Mike Eakins
Marvel continues to thrive when it comes to the box office. Over the long Labor Day weekend, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings tore through the box office bringing in an estimated global opening of $146.2 million and $75.5 million domestically, per Box Office Mojo.
Shang-Chi is not only the second highest-grossing film in the pandemic era. Still, it sits atop the mountain as it has the largest Labor Day weekend opening, unseating Rob Zombie’s 2007 reboot of Halloween.
“The sun rose today to a world where Asian superheroes exist as the leads of their story; that is the gift that [director Destin Daniel Cretton] and @marvelstudios has bestowed upon all of us, across all communities, everywhere. A celebration and a sharing of culture, of language, of laughter, of excitement, of sorrow and of heartbreak,” – Simu Liu
Unlike Marvel’s last offering, Black Widow, Shang-Chi wasn’t simultaneously streaming on Disney+ by design, according to Disney CEO Bob Chapek who said it was “an interesting experiment” but have no fear. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will show up on the popular streaming service in 45 days from release. Be that as it may, and regardless of stance on the pandemic and individual precautions, it is a breath of fresh air to see not only beloved characters on the big screen and folks going to the theater to show support. On that very same note, it’s exhilarating to see a comic book character sans cape, webbing, and super shield have a turn at the throne.