By Abb Jones
The Reelness

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has raked in an impressive $83.5 million in the United States over the past four days, setting a new Labor Day holiday weekend record. It has earned an impressive $139.7 million globally.

Marvel’s first Asian-led superhero film stars Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh, Tony Leung and Meng’er Zhang. Showcasing the trademark Marvel action with an eye-popping array of traditional Chinese martial arts and imagery, it is the story of a young Kung Fu master who must reconcile his father’s past. The prior U.S. Labor Day weekend record, $30.6 million, was held by Rob Zombie’s 2007 Halloween horror remake.

With a $182 million U.S. haul to date, Black Widow is, for now, the nation’s big box office champion of 2021, but Shang-Chi is expected to continue to do well in theaters, since unlike Black Widow, which is also available on the Disney+ streaming platform, it currently is available exclusively in theaters.

The global box office champion for 2021, however, is another Asian film, the poignant Chinese comedy Hi, Mom (Ni hao, Li Huan Ying). Directed by and starring improv comedian Ling Jia, Hi, Mom is about a woman who travels back in time to improve the life of her late mother. It has earned an astounding $822 million, almost all in China.