‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘Avatar 2’ among 10 most-searched movies in Vietnam

Google released Monday the list of most-searched films in Vietnam throughout 2023, with “Nha Ba Nu” (The House of No Man), directed by comedian-actor Tran Thanh, topping the list.
Centered on family relationships, the film revolves around the relationship between a mother, her daughters, and her sons-in-law.
As estimated by CJ, the movie’s distribution company, “Nha Ba Nu” attracted 2 million viewers during the 2023 Tet holidays (in January).
It also set a record for the highest daily revenue in Vietnamese cinema history of VND 35 billion (US$1.4 million), as well as the highest number of screenings in a day nationwide, with over 4,500 screenings. Grossing cumulatively VND460 billion, the film became the highest-grossing movie in Vietnamese box office history as of 2023.
Photo by CJ.

“Oppenheimer” by Christopher Nolan came second in the list of most-searched films in Vietnam throughout 2023.
Telling the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, who is considered the father of the atomic bomb, the movie addresses his early research, his role in directing the Manhattan Project, and the accusations of him being a Soviet spy. It has reportedly grossed US$953 million worldwide, ranking among the top 10 highest-grossing movies of this year.
Photo by Universal Pictures.

Despite facing criticism for script holes and the excessive use of adult elements, “Chi Chi Em Em 2” (Sister Sister 2), directed by Vu Ngoc Dang, ranks third in the list.
Set in Saigon at the beginning of the 20th century, the film draws inspiration from the life stories of Ba Tra and Tu Nhi, dubbed the most beautiful women in the city of the time, and the pair’s power struggles. Photo by CJ.

“Dat Rung Phuong Nam” (Song of the South), next in the list, was inspired by a novel of the same name by author Doan Gioi. The film revolves around An, a young boy wandering in southern Vietnam in search of his father. Photo by Galaxy.

Grossing over VND96 billion in Vietnam, Disney’s animated film “Elemental” ranks fifth in the list.
Focusing on the theme of immigration and similar to the 2022 Pixar production “Turning Red,” the film delves into generational conflicts, where children live under the expectations and dreams of their parents.
Photo by Disney.

Distributed at the end of 2022, “Avatar 2: The Way of Water” is still among the films of interest to Vietnamese audiences this year.
The sequel to the 2009 film “Avatar” continues the story of Jake Sully and Neytiri from the Omaticaya tribe of the Na’vi people. As their enemies return, the Na’vi have no other choice but to fight once again to protect their homeland.
The film grossed US$2.32 billion globally, becoming the third highest-grossing films of all time, only to its prequel “Avatar” which generated US$2.9 billion, and “Avengers: Endgame” which grossed US$2.79 billion.
Photo by 20th Century Studios.

“Nguoi Vo Cuoi Cung” (The Last Wife), directed by Vietnamese-born director Victor Vu, ranks seventh.
Set in a northern rural region in Vietnam in the 19th century, the film tells the story of Linh, a young woman who comes from a poor family background. Forced to become a concubine of a district governor, Linh suffers obstacles due to her husband’s two wives until she reunites with her ex-boyfriend and starts an affair with him.
Photo by TFilm.

“Lat Mat 6” (Face Off 6), directed by Ly Hai and placing eighth, tells the story of a group of six close friends who buy a lottery ticket together and eventually betray one another to claim it after it is revealed to be the jackpot winning ticket. Photo by LH Production.

“Detective Conan: The Black Iron Submarine,” the 26th installment about Conan, continues its success partly thanks to the popularity of the renowned original manga series on which it is based.
An animated adaptation from the story originally created by artist Aoyama Gosho and directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa, the film is set in Pacific Buoy, a maritime base responsible for connecting security cameras worldwide. Photo by CGV.

“Sieu Lua Gap Sieu Lay” (Hustler vs. Scammer) is the tenth most-searched movie in Vietnam this year.
The action-comedy revolves around Khoa, a thief in Saigon who travels to Phu Quoc Island hoping to change his life. There, he clashes with the gang of criminal Tu. They eventually collaborate and successfully pull off several scams until they plan their final scheme to seize VND50 billion. Photo by Galaxy.