China’s current obsession with a time-traveling Japanese robotic cat is too strong even for its infatuation with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and large scale cinematic destruction. Disaster flicks seem tailor made for Chinese audiences who embraced last year’s Godzilla with $78.02 million and 2012 with $68.25million all the way back in ’09 before the box office took off. However, Doraemon Stand By Me looks to repeat as the Chinese box office champion for a second straight weekend as it appears the tsunami San Andreas caused last weekend at the global box office has weakened significantly upon impact with the Chinese mainland.
Despite garnering the highest EFMT Index in intent to purchase, awareness, and word of mouth of the five new releases this week, San Andreas is showing presales for its Tuesday opening day on par with last week’s Tomorrowland debut according to Chinese online ticketing site Gewara which could spell trouble for Johnson and his film in China. The EBOT weekly box office statistics shows that Tomorrowland grossed a measly $14.11 million in its first week of release. Forecasts by Chinese box office pundits are predicting a modest $40-50 million by the end of San Andreas’ run. Early estimates show San Andreas on about 32% of China’s 25,000 screens and Doraemon on 25%, but things could shift in “Blue Fatty’s” favor over the weekend when families flock to the animated pic that’s receiving great word of mouth.
Also hitting cinemas this weekend: Rush, Ron Howard’s Golden Globe nominated sports drama from 2013 which unfortunately has received almost zero coverage from the Chinese press, and 3 local pics — comedy Free Ride, horror flick Monsters, and sports drama Lost in Wrestling.
Jonathan Papish of Boxoffice.com contributed to this article.
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About EntGroup
EntGroup Consulting is the leading research and consulting company focusing on China’s entertainment industry. A member of ComInsight Information Alliance Group, EntGroup focuses on providing data and information, conducting market research, industry research, consulting, and organizing media conferences. We serve a wide range of clients in areas of film, TV, new media, entertainment marketing and animation.
EntGroup also operates an online portal for the entertainment industry— http://english.entgroup.cn
About EBOT
EBOT EntGroup Box Office Tracker is a database focusing on the entertainment industry. Created and managed by China's leading entertainment industry research institute, EntGroup, it provides statistics and analysis on film and TV industries, as well as insight on market trends and consumer behaviors. It is an essential tool for entertainment investors, financiers, film production companies, distributors and advertisers. EBOT integrates Box Office data and analysis, moviegoer surveys, advertising insight, buzz tracking and industry research reports.
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