According to EBOT statstics, this weekend begins the month or more-long protection period and sees 14 new films enter cinemas.
Of the eight new domestic films, three co-productions, and three imports,Hollywood Adventures has all the makings of a summer blockbuster. Directed by Justin Lin (Furious 3-6) and starring superstar and newly minted billionaire Zhao Wei (Vicky Zhao), current it boys Huang Xiaoming and babyfaced Tong Dawei, this Hollywood-China coproduction has been aggressively marketed for months through publicity tours, music videos, and cast appearances.
According to EntGroup’s EFMT Index, Hollywood Adventures has the highest level of awareness and intent to purchase of any release this weekend. We think it could be a massive hit on the Mainland grossing upwards of $100 million a la The Breakup Guru ($107.83M) which opened in the same frame last summer.
Another film getting buzz this weekend is Hear Me, a lighthearted teen romance film from Taiwan starring popular performers Eddy Peng, Ivy Chen, and Michelle Chen. However, the film was released in Taiwan all the way back in 2009 which might hurt box office potential.
Begin Again starring Mark Ruffalo and Keira Knightley seems to have skirted the blackout, but its limited appeal to Chinese moviegoers is probably the reason for this unattractive release date.
Finally, Jurassic World will be losing most of its screens this weekend due to the protection period, but we still see the hot ticket in China placing in the top 5 and ending its run just past $200 million.
Other films opening: The Temptation in Lincang (China), Come Back, Love (China), My Geeky Nerdy Buddies (China/Taiwan), Bloody Destiny (China), Can’t Prove (China), I Love You, Too (China), Where The Wind Settles (China/Taiwan), Twilight Online (China/Hong Kong), The Three Pigs and the Lamp (China), The Adventures of Little Piglet Banna (China).
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.
For more information, please visit: http://english.entgroup.com.cn/enbase.html or contact
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