According to incomplete statistics, the nationwide box office incomes of the major blockbusters in Mainland during the Lunar New Year holidays, dated from 30th January to 12th February, are as follows: King Kong earned a total of 94.28 million yuan; Fearless received 83.24 million yuan. The box office income of Kungfu Sweet Heart was 15 million yuan, whereas that of McDull, the Alumni totaled 9.23 million yuan. In summary, the overall Chinese New Year box office income for the whole country amounted 200.18 million yuan, which represented a 50% increase as compared to last year.

 

As King Kong was released three weeks ago before the Lunar New year, by 12th February it has already been showing for five weeks. Fearless, on the contrary, was released just a week before the Lunar New Year, so it has been showing for only three weeks. This makes it a real "Chinese New Year movie". In other words, Fearless is the truly fearless box office champion for the Chinese New Year holidays. (Up to 12th February, both Kungfu Sweet Heart and McDull, the Alumni have been showing for two weeks.)

 

Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Hangzhou, the five major cities which accounted for 60% to 70% of the overall box office, have a total income of 125.82 million yuan this year, also a 50% increase as compared to the same period last year. The box office of King Kong in these five cities amounted 61.87 millions yuan; that of Fearless was 54 millions yuan. The box office income of Kungfu Sweet Heart totaled 7.55 million yuan, while that of McDull, the Alumni was 3.4 million yuan.

 

(hkfilmart February 27, 2006)