In fact, we have to go back to 2014 to see a French film at the top of the annual box office in France with “What did we do to the good god?”, carried by Christian Clavier, which had totaled more than of 12 million admissions, according to CBO Box-Office data.
“When I returned to Paris to attend the Olympic Games, I noticed that my status had changed. (…) I am better known but less in demand, and I am praised!”, commented Artus with humor in Le Parisien Week-End. Previously identified as an acid stand-up comedian, the thirty-year-old was once approached by his fans with a pat on the back in the street.
Six series to catch up between two holidays
Artus' film, which, according to its director's wishes, laughs with people with disabilities and not at their expense, beat out American and French blockbusters.
Coming from Hollywood studios, “Dune II” for example focused on a science fiction worth 190 million dollars according to the American press, with the injection of megastars Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya. Result: it finished the year 7th in the French box office only.
On the French side, “The Count of Monte Cristo” (more than 9 million admissions) has plowed the furrow of romantic heroes in a revival of swashbuckling films.
Pierre Niney in the title role walks in the shoes of “Fanfan la Tulipe” with Gérard Philipe (1952), “Bossu” with Jean Marais (1959), “Cartouche” with Jean-Paul Belmondo (1962) or, more contemporary, of the new version of “The Three Musketeers”, with two parts in 2023 aligning the stars (Vincent Cassel, Romain Duris, François Civil, Pio Marmaï, Eva Green).
Emilia Pérez” and the Oscars
With a budget of nearly 43 million euros, according to the specialized press, “The Count of Monte Cristo” therefore achieves a less impressive somersault than “A little thing in addition” and its 6 million budget.
Internationally, however, “The Count of Monte Cristo” benefits from its long-term exploitation. By mid-November, it had already collected more than $100 million at the worldwide box office, according to the production company Pathé Films.
For his part, Artus told the newspaper Le Parisien that “Americans and Italians have bought the rights to make a remake” of his film, which has already earned 81 million euros from its exploitation in France and abroad, according to Libération.
With its casting including actors with disabilities – who climbed the steps of the Cannes Film Festival in the spring, even though the film was not selected – “A little something extra” also undermined the strategy of “Phew love”.
Directed by a popular actor-filmmaker, Gilles Lellouche, the project is based on a glamorous star tandem (François Civil, Adèle Exarchopoulos) and a budget of nearly 36 million euros, according to the specialist press.
This romantic drama finished in 5th place at the 2024 French box office (4.7 million spectators) thanks to its young audience.
The other good news from French cinema will perhaps come from “Emilia Pérez”, with an international cast led by Jacques Audiard. At only 28th position in the national box office (with just over a million admissions), this daring musical comedy about a sex-changing drug trafficker is causing a lot of talk in view of the next Oscars, after having won the Jury Prize on the Croisette in the spring.
