China’s Mid-Autumn Festival brought a slew of new film releases, but little discernible uplift to the box office. Drama film, “Stand By Me” emerged on top.
Official rest days for the Mid-Autumn Festival are Sunday to Tuesday (Sept 15-15), but Saturday (Sept. 14) was declared an “adjusted working day.” That meant that some new titles held back their opening from the conventional Friday to Sunday instead – local sources report nine Chinese-produced films new to the market – but that the total nationwide box office was worth only $28.1 million.
Friday-release, “Stand By Me” emerged with $10.3 million (RMB73.0 million), according to data from consultancy firm Artisan Gateway. The story of two orphaned or abandoned children who meet up and help each other as teenagers was originally supposed to have been released in July. But its outing was held up by political intervention. It stars Karry Wang, leader of the popular TFBoys boy band.
Related Stories
Chinese crime actioner, “Go for Broke” (aka “Chong Sheng”) earned $2.2 million in second place over the weekend. Since releasing on Aug. 16, it has a cumulative of $58.7 million.
Popular on Variety
“Like a Rolling Stone,” a drama film about a 50-year-old woman who decides to take charge of her own life and embarks on a driving tour, released only on Sunday. It finished with RMB14.3 million ($2.02 million) and a $2.6 million cumulative including previews.
“A Frozen Rage,” a crime comedy-drama about social justice, was another Sunday release. It earned RMB14.2 million ($2 million).
“Alien: Romulus” earned $1.7 million between Friday and Sunday for fifth place on a three-day view. It has now accumulated $105 million, making it the second-highest grossing Hollywood film of the year in mainland China.
Artisan Gateway reports that the year-to-date China box office total is $4.78 billion, or some 23% adrift compared with the same point last year.
The more significant National Day holiday season, starting Oct. 1, may offer a chance for the sector to make up some ground. It may also offer Hollywood another significant chance in a difficult market, as “Transformers One” will release in Chinese theaters on Sept. 27.
