HONG KONG, Oct. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Imagi International Holdings (HKEx: 585), a leading producer of CG-animated motion pictures, with studios in both Hong Kong and the U.S., today announced that its latest feature film, Astro Boy, set a new opening weekend box office record in China for a CG-animated movie.
According to industry estimates, since opening on Friday (October 23) on approximately 1,100 screens across China, Astro Boy has recorded approximately RMB40 million in box office receipts, topping the weekend box office chart and setting a new mark for the opening weekend box office of a CG-animated feature film in the Mainland. That record was previously held by Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs with an opening gross of RMB30 million.
Commenting on Astro Boy's success, CK Phoon, Executive Deputy Chairman at Imagi, said, "We are absolutely delighted that Astro Boy has received such a warm welcome in China, a major market for the film industry. Astro Boy's stunning start proves that Imagi has what it takes to produce a blockbuster, and we look forward to Astro Boy's continued success around the globe."
In North America Astro Boy received positive reviews and opened in 6th place with an estimated US$7 million for the October 23-25 weekend. The film faced keen competition in a crowded marketplace which included the debuts of two highly anticipated horror movies.
China's CG-animated feature film opening weekend box office record was previously held by 20th Century Fox's Ice Age 3, which recorded approximately RMB30 million in its opening weekend. The film went on to achieve RMB130 million in box office receipts. "It may be difficult to top Ice Age 3 in China since that film was released during the summer and they also had a 3D version, but we will certainly try," said Phoon. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs currently holds the distinction of being one of the biggest international grossers of all time.
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/astro-boy-blasts-to-1-at-chinas-box-office-66226202.html
I get the feeling Astro Boy will be more popular in America through rentals. That's been happening a LOT lately
