‘Kupa Rashit, The Movie’ Shows How Israeli TV Hits Became Box Office Gold

"Kupa Rashit, The Movie" has become a major hit, drawing 250,000 viewers in its first four days, including 100,000 on Wednesday alone, Israeli Cinema Day. A year ago, "Let It Be Shuli Sun" sold 210,000 tickets in its first three days and still technically holds the record for the best opening weekend, but "Kupa Rashit" could challenge it on the way to the 1 million ticket mark. The article notes that 250,000 cinema admissions are roughly equivalent to a 9% television rating, about the average for each episode of the TV series, except that in theaters the rating also becomes cash.

The piece says Israeli Cinema Day has long been used to promote award-season films, with a traditional overlap between the day’s screenings and the titles competing for the Ophir Awards. This year, however, there was little overlap. Sixteen narrative films were shown on Israeli Cinema Day, down from 31 a decade ago, while 22 narrative films competed for the Ophir Prize. The author argues that Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar has pushed a policy favoring blockbusters over prize-winning, artistic, political, or experimental cinema, and that the new rules of the Cinema Council demand box-office hits instead of award winners.

Against that backdrop, United King and Cinema City owner Moshe Edri has found a highly profitable formula, turning successful TV brands into films. The article points to "Ma Kesho?" becoming the two "Let It Be Shuli" films, "The 1990s Show" becoming two "The Event" films, "Full Speed" becoming two youth films, and reality shows such as "Goolstar" and "The Buzaglos" getting film versions. Edri has said in interviews that he dreams of film versions of "Sabit Meranan" and "Ramzor." The article says the new environment means he will no longer need to finance these productions alone.

The film itself is described as both commercial and likable enough to appeal broadly, while still having enough charm to function as a legitimate movie. In this installment, the familiar characters are moved out of their usual setting and become suspects in a murder case, with Ramzi trying to solve the mystery and clear his friends. The film is praised for its structure and pace, and the writer sees it as a rare movie that could unite political opponents with jokes, even as it reflects a broader debate over whether Israeli cinema should prioritize art or entertainment.