Author: Newsroom
NEW YORK, NY — November 25, 2025 — The smash hit Kokuho has officially become the highest-grossing Japanese live-action film of all time in its domestic market, according to Kogyo Tsushinsha, Japan’s leading box office reporting service. As of November 24, after 172 days in theaters, the film has sold over 12.3 million tickets and surpassed ¥17,377,394,500 Japanese yen ($111 million USD) in Japanese box office revenue alone.
Kokuho’s performance breaks a 22-year-old record and sets a new historic benchmark for Japanese live action films. In the all-time box office rankings (According to Kogyo Tsushinsha), the film is also now Number 11 in Japanese box office. The film opened in Japan on June 6, and still remains in theaters.
In the United States, GKIDS opened the film for one-week qualifying runs on November 14 in Los Angeles (AMC Universal CityWalk) and November 21 in New York (Angelika Film Center), which is resulting in sold-out shows and a strong estimated cumulative gross of over $60,000 ($30,000 per screen). Director Sang-il Lee and actor Ryo Yoshizawa supported the release with in-theater appearances and Q&A’s on both coasts.
Japan’s official submission for Best International Feature at the 98th Academy Awards, the film is directed by Sang-il Lee, and stars Ryo Yoshizawa, Ryusei Yokohama, and Ken Watanabe. The film is produced by Aniplex Inc. in association with Myriagon Studio, Amuse Inc., Toho Co Ltd., Lawson Inc. and Credeus. GKIDS will release the film wide in North American theaters early next year.
“We’d like to congratulate the Kokuho film team on this incredible milestone,” said GKIDS’ President Dave Jesteadt. “The historic box office success in Japan demonstrates that the film is a must-see theatrical event, with many Japanese audiences returning to cinemas multiple times to experience its immersive beauty. After our own sold-out previews, we look forward to sharing this deeply emotional modern classic with American audiences early next year.”
Synopsis
Nagasaki, 1964 – After the death of his father, the leader of a yakuza gang, 14-year-old Kikuo is taken under the wing of a famous Kabuki actor. Alongside Shunsuke, the actor’s only son, he decides to dedicate himself to this traditional form of theatre. For decades, the two young men grow and evolve together – from acting school to the grandest stages – amid scandals and glory, brotherhood and betrayals… one of them will become the greatest Japanese master of the art of kabuki.