Kabuki Drama 'Kokuho' Shatters Japanese Box Office Records for Live-Action Films

The kabuki drama 'Kokuho,' which translates to 'National Treasure,' has officially cemented its place as the highest-grossing live-action film in Japanese cinematic history. This monumental achievement came after the film surpassed the 17.4 billion yen mark at the box office. The film reached this milestone over 172 days following its premiere in June. In doing so, 'Kokuho' eclipsed a 22-year-old record previously held by the comedy 'Bayside Shakedown 2,' which had earned 17.35 billion yen back in 2003. As of the close of November 2025, 'Kokuho' holds the eighth spot overall among Japan's highest-grossing films, trailing primarily behind animated blockbusters such as 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train' and 'Spirited Away.'

Helming this ambitious, multi-year saga was director Lee Sang-il, known for his work on 'The Wandering Moon.' The central narrative focuses on the coming-of-age and intense rivalry between two young men navigating the intricate world of traditional kabuki theater over a span of five decades. The leading roles are portrayed by Ryo Yoshizawa and Ryusei Yokohama. The ensemble cast also features established talents including Ken Watanabe, Mitsuki Takahata, and Shinobu Terajima.

A significant aspect contributing to the film's authenticity was the rigorous training undertaken by Yoshizawa and Yokohama. Both actors dedicated themselves to intensive kabuki preparation and executed all of the demanding dance sequences themselves, lending a powerful realism to the storytelling. The source material for this acclaimed feature is the novel of the same name, penned by the prestigious Akutagawa Prize winner, Shuichi Yoshida.

The commercial triumph of 'Kokuho' has had a ripple effect, sparking a noticeable surge in public fascination with authentic kabuki performances across the nation. The film made its international debut on May 18, 2025, premiering in the Directors' Fortnight section of the Cannes Film Festival. Furthermore, 'Kokuho' has been officially selected as Japan's submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards. This selection clearly signals Japan's intent to showcase its profound cultural heritage on the global stage.

For North American audiences, distributor GKIDS has scheduled an expanded theatrical release across cinemas in the United States and Canada for early 2026. This follows successful qualification screenings that commenced in November 2025. With a production budget estimated around 1.2 billion yen, the film had already sold the equivalent of 8.17 million tickets by the end of August. The resounding success of 'Kokuho' in its domestic market firmly establishes it as a landmark piece of contemporary Japanese cinema.