The Quake’s spectacular opening orchestrated by Nordisk Film Distribution was the biggest of 2018, stronger than for previous Norwegian blockbusters The Wave (also produced by Fantefilm), the stop-motion animated Solan & Ludvig-Christmas in Pinchliffe and the resistance drama Max Manus. Only Kon-Tiki did better in 2012 with 164,804 admissions for its first three days. 

The Quake had the best prerequisites to score big, with excellent reviews, a word of mouth that started with the film’s launch as opening film of the Norwegian Film Festival in Haugesund, star power from Kristoffer Joner and Ane Dahl Torp, a massive promotional campaign and booking in 334 cinemas.

In Oslo, Nordisk Film’s own cinema chains had 76 shows the first Friday and the competing chain Odeon 41 shows, with screenings every 15 minutes from 14.45 according to Kinomagasinet. 

Producer Martin Sundland said: “The technical developments in recent years have finally given us the possibility to make such [grand scale disaster] films in Norway as well. The film was met with brilliant feedback from critics, but it's the audience we're making movies for. It is obvious that the Norwegian people like great thrilling films like this, and we are glad that they are watching it in the cinema."

The €6 million film is sold internationally by TrustNordisk that is representing the film in Toronto. Sales have already been closed with several territories including Spain (Selectavision), German-speaking territories (SquareOne), Latin America (California) and China (DD Dream). The film will screen at the upcoming London Film Festival.