problem is GKIDS definitely doesn't have as good a distribution network as bigger distributors like Toho or Crunchyroll (backed by Sony). However, I do think if this released a month later than it is it could probably have gotten an extra 700 or so theaters.

Looks like it will be a big hit in China. Could bring it up to $300M worldwide.

A huge hit and I always find it interesting how Ghibli films do gangbusters overseas but never seems to break out that big in the US. I think Ghibli has this sort of art house or anime stigma to it here that alienates average families from going despite being very family oriented films that play as mainstream in Japan