Checkered Ninja hits the 900,000 mark

BOX OFFICE. Anders Matthesen and Thorbjørn Christoffersen's animation feature 'Checkered Ninja' has sold 901,000 tickets, the best result for a Danish film in 34 years.

A Ninja doll in an oddly patterned combat suit and buttons for eyes has brought out local audiences in high numbers.

Anders Matthesen and Thorbjørn Christoffersen's animation feature 'Checkered Ninja' has taken 901,000 admissions after ten weeks in release, which makes it the best-selling Danish title in 34 years, since the comedy 'Walter and Carlo' from 1985.

In the press

'Checkered Ninja' garnered four and five star reviews at its Danish release on 25 December. A few quotes from the press:

"It's the balance between the pure-hearted and the coarse-grained that makes 'Checkered Ninja' a winner." – Jyllands-Posten

"Anders Matthesen succeeds in convincingly making an edifying moral narrative for children without any finger-wagging." – Politiken

"Admittedly, the ninja's eye for an eye principle is antiquated, but still, it's stimulating to challenge the welfare society's deep-rooted propensity for victim mentality." – Ekko

During that same period, four additional Danish titles have reached more than 800,000 tickets: Mikkel Nørgaard's 'Klown' (2010), Lone Scherfig's 'Italian for Beginners' (2000), Susanne Bier's 'The One and Only' (1999) and Sven Methling's 'The Crumbs' (1991).

In 'Checkered Ninja', the boy Aske finds out that his new ninja doll is alive and can save him from the bullies at school. What he also discovers is that the ninja is possessed and on a mission for revenge. The story takes place in the same universe as 'Terkel in Trouble' from 2004, also created by Anders Matthesen. 

Producers are Anders Mastrup and Trine Heidegaard for A. Film, Sudoku and Pop Up Production. LevelK is handling international sales.