In recent weekend results, Russian director Dmitry Dyachenko’s family comedy Cheburashka again dominated box office charts across Russia and the surrounding CIS region. Industry outlet Kinobusiness reported preliminary figures showing the film extending its record-breaking run, underscoring the enduring appeal of the beloved character and the director’s signature blend of warmth, humor, and family-friendly storytelling.
The box office landscape highlighted a strong start for a family-friendly feature that has resonated with audiences of different ages. A tale centered on friendship between a furry creature and a gardener captured a leading position with an impressive gross of 168.5 million rubles during the opening period. The momentum signals continuing audience interest in lighthearted cinema that offers escapist entertainment with broad appeal, reinforced by positive word of mouth and social media buzz among families and moviegoers seeking uplifting stories.
Trailing closely was a romance-meets-drama melodrama that drew viewers with a plot about Ilona and Artem. Their chance encounter led to an unexpected pregnancy and a sudden marriage, only to face seven years later a crisis that pushes the couple toward a choice for freedom and self-discovery. The film generated around 59.6 million rubles, marking solid performance in the domestic market and contributing to a weekend dominated by a mix of sentimentally engaging titles and mainstream comedies.
In third place, audiences responded to a lighthearted comedy that streams the banter and misadventures of its characters. The comedy What Men Talk, along with other titles in the mix, helped diversify the lineup and provided a contrast to the more sentimental features at the top of the chart. The overall mix underlines a stable appetite for humor and human connection in contemporary Russian cinema, with viewers appreciating casual entertainment that still offers relatable themes and punchy dialogue.
Another notable entry in the top five was the animated or family-focused feature Be, which captured about 45.5 million rubles. The presence of animation alongside live-action fare demonstrates the genre’s continued strength in attracting families and younger audiences, while still delivering broad appeal for adults who attend films as a shared weekend experience. The overall results for the period reflect a market that favors accessible, feel-good storytelling and the comfort of familiar faces on the screen, especially during peak cinema attendance periods.
Rounding out the top five, the family-friendly or adventure-oriented title Amazing Maurice brought in around 36.8 million rubles, contributing to a diverse slate that kept theatres busy. The distribution mix indicates a healthy appetite for variety within Russian cinema, with productions that blend humor, warmth, and light suspense appealing to cinephiles and casual viewers alike. Industry observers note that such performances help sustain cinema culture by offering high-spirited alternatives to more intense, drama-driven fare during peak box office cycles.
In related industry discourse, Vitaly Shlyappo, former producer and screenwriter of Cheburashka, responded to public criticism directed at the film by prominent actor and State Duma deputy Dmitry Pevtsov, who described the project as sabotaging artistic integrity. The exchange underscores ongoing conversations about creative choices, audience reception, and the responsibilities of filmmakers when addressing national themes and audience expectations. Kinobusiness and other trade publications continue to monitor reactions, box office momentum, and the broader implications for the Russian film industry as it navigates a dynamic market and evolving distribution landscape.