No Choice becomes Park Chan-wook’s biggest North American hit

Mar 04, 2026, 10:06 am

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Director Park Chan-wook’s film No Choice has surpassed $10 million at the North American box office, becoming the director’s highest-grossing film in the region. / Courtesy of CJ ENM

Director Park Chan-wook’s latest film No Choice has become his highest-grossing movie in North America, earning more than $10 million at the regional box office.

According to distributor CJ ENM on March 3, the film surpassed $10 million (about 14.6 billion won) in cumulative ticket sales in the United States and Canada, overtaking Park’s previous regional record-holder Oldboy, which earned $2.4 million.

No Choice opened in North America last Christmas on just 13 screens but quickly expanded to 695 theaters on Jan. 16.

The film climbed to ninth place on the daily North American box office chart shortly after its expansion, signaling strong audience interest.

CJ ENM said the performance is particularly meaningful given the barriers non-English-language films still face in the North American market.

“The result once again proves the global expansion potential of Korean cinema,” the company said, adding that the film has attracted a growing number of general audiences.

The black comedy follows a middle-aged man who loses his job and creates chaos while trying to find new employment.

The film was invited to the main competition section of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival last year, earning critical recognition.

However, it left Venice without awards and also failed to secure a final nomination for the International Feature Film category at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards, despite making the shortlist of 15 films.

Meanwhile, Park recently received another major honor.

He has been appointed jury president for the competition section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, which will take place from May 12 to 23 in Cannes, France.

Park is the first Korean filmmaker to serve as jury president for Cannes’ main competition and only the second Asian filmmaker to hold the role since Chinese director Wong Kar-wai in 2006.

#Park Chan-wook #No Choice #Oldboy #North American box office #Korean cinema