Theatrical earnings in Hong Kong over the just-concluded Chinese New Year period, traditionally a busy time at the box office , were down 11% this year compared to 2016.
Takings over the four days (Jan. 27-30) measured by Hong Kong Box Office Ltd. totaled $7.07 million (HK$54.8 million). The comparable period last year generated $7.95 million (HK$61.6 million).
For once, the top film was the same as that in mainland China. “ Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back ” pulled in $1.74 million (HK$13.5 million) in Hong Kong over the four days, with a cumulative total of $2.13 million by the end of the public holiday Tuesday Jan. 31.
In second place was “ Resident Evil: The Final Chapter ” with $1.46 million (HK$11.3 million). But by the end of Tuesday, “Resident Evil” had passed “Journey to the West” with a cumulative of $2.16 million (HK$16.7 million).
Third was “Moana” with US$1.07 million after four days and $1.54 million by Jan. 31. Fourth was “La La Land” with US$1.04 million after four days and $1.78 million by Jan 31. Local title “The Yuppie Fantasia 3” came fifth with $1.04 million (HK$8.09 million) after six days.
Across the border, mainland China takes largely the entire week as holiday, and theatrical box office for the year is heavily skewed by the crush of films that attempt to connect with audiences in that season. In Hong Kong, most movies were released Thursday, Jan. 26. In China most were held back a day later than usual to release on Saturday, Jan. 28.
