The recent release of Major Thunder: The Game, directed by Oleg Trofim, dominated box office headlines across Russia and the CIS over the past weekend, according to industry trackers. The data from kinobusiness.com confirms the blockbuster’s lead status, underscoring its widespread appeal and strong audience turnout in a competitive market.
Over the same frame, the action spectacle featuring Tikhon Zhiznevsky drew 162.9 million rubles in domestic receipts, solidifying its position at the top of the weekend’s forecourt. Trailing behind was Guy Ritchie’s action-comedy Ministry of Ungentlemanly Affairs, which earned 57 million rubles, demonstrating a robust appetite for international titles alongside domestic productions. Completing the top three was Alexander Andryushchenko’s fantasy feature Before the Century, which achieved 39.4 million rubles in the period, reflecting continued interest in genre cinema across audiences.
Major Thunder: The Game hit Russian cinemas on May 23, 2024, expanding the cinematic universe established by its predecessors. The narrative of the third installment unfolds one year after the events of the second film. The setting in St. Petersburg captures a city still weathering the aftermath of the Plague Doctor’s turmoil, while Sergei Razumovsky undergoes a personal reckoning, culminating in a decision to seek treatment in a psychiatric facility. This plot development marks a shift toward deeper character exploration and a more introspective arc within an action-driven framework.
In this latest chapter, a familiar ensemble returns to the screen. Tikhon Zhiznevsky, Alexander Seteykin, Alexey Maklakov, Lyubov Aksenova, Sergey Goroshko, and Konstantin Khabensky reprise their roles, bringing continuity and new dynamics to the evolving storyline. The involvement of these actors continues to anchor the film’s appeal for longtime fans while inviting new viewers to experience the continuing saga in a cinematic setting that blends high-octane sequences with evolving character relationships. The expanding universe and character-driven moments are positioned to contribute to sustained audience interest during subsequent releases.
As industry observers assess the trajectory of this franchise, there is emphasis on how the latest installment balances spectacle with character development. While promotional chatter and media appearances have kept fans engaged, the box office pace suggests a broad demographic reach, spanning action enthusiasts, thriller lovers, and fans of serialized storytelling who appreciate the progression of a long-running narrative across multiple installments. This combination of strong star power, established world-building, and evolving plot lines appears to be resonating with viewers, supporting continued momentum for the franchise in the coming weeks. According to kinobusiness.com, the weekend’s earnings provide a reliable snapshot of audience reception and market dynamics as the spring/summer movie slate unfolds across the region. [Kinobusiness] [Source: kinobusiness.com]