Six new domestic films all based on existing intellectual properties enter Chinese cinemas this weekend trying to become this summer’s first break out local hit.
Box office expectations are high for Tiny Times 4.0, the final chapter in novelist and director Guo Jingming’s Tiny Times series. The story follows four Shanghai girls through high school, university, and post-college life as they navigate boys, cat-fights, and the latest fashion trends. Despite heavy criticism condemning the young protagonists as materialistic and vain, the Tiny Times series has proven very popular with the Post 90s female demographic, grossing a combined $211 million since summer 2013. Last summer’s third installment was the most popular ($84.77 million) and we think this fourth and final film will bring out even more young fans (and the boyfriends they drag along).
Aimed at a similar demographic and receiving just as much buzz as Tiny Times is the youthful romance pic Forever Young based on a popular song by the same name. He Jiong, the popular host of China’s most famous variety show Happy Camp, takes the reins as first time director, and producers are hoping his rabid fans come out to support the film.
According to EntGroup’s EFMT Index, both Forever Young and Tiny Time 4.0 share the high levels of awareness and intent to purchase with 3D animated films Monkey King: Hero is Back of week's new release. Yet Monkey King: Hero is Back and GG Bond Movie: Ultimate Battle, will fight for family audiences this weekend in animation battlefield. Monkey’s robust previews this past weekend ($1.58 million) and talk that it’s one of the strongest technically animated features to come out of China’s fledgling animation industry bode well for a good run.
The two other films opening this weekend are Nezha, which might find some appeal on the arthouse circuit and Dear, Don’t Be Afraid, a horror movie.
Jonathan Papish of Boxoffice.com contributed to this article.
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