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. \u201c Journey to the West: The Demons Strike Back \u201d 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 \u201c Resident Evil: The Final Chapter \u201d with $1.46 million (HK$11.3 million). But by the end of Tuesday, \u201cResident Evil\u201d had passed \u201cJourney to the West\u201d with a cumulative of $2.16 million (HK$16.7 million).
Third was \u201cMoana\u201d with US$1.07 million after four days and $1.54 million by Jan. 31. Fourth was \u201cLa La Land\u201d with US$1.04 million after four days and $1.78 million by Jan 31. Local title \u201cThe Yuppie Fantasia 3\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

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\nSimilarity rank: 2.2\n<\/div>\n

Sentiment rank: 2.6<\/div>\n

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