Animation Domination Continues At Chinese Box Office

Animated films continue their box office tear in China as the country’s filmgoers continue to show a strong desire for animation of all kinds, including hand-drawn films. Animated films held three of the top five spots at the Chinese box office, while the top film was a vfx-driven fantasy film.

Jade Dynasty, directed by Ching Siu-tung, debuted in first place with $39.2 million. The trailer for the wuxia fantasy makes clear that the film offers its fair share of digital visual effects and creature work.

In second place, the 2d Japanese animated feature Detective Conan: The Fist of Blue Sapphire launched with $23.2 million. The 23rd film in the Detective Conan series, the Tomoka Nagaoka-directed film had earned $81.1 million earlier this year in Japan, where it is the fourth-highest grossing film at that country’s yearly box office. Globally, The Fist of Blue Sapphire has accrued $114.2 million to date.

Last weekend’s no. 1 film, the 2d Chinese animated film The Legend Of Hei, dropped to third place with $14.4 million. Based on a popular Flash-animated web series, Hei has grossed $34.4 million in its first nine days.

The Chinese cg animation blockbuster Ne Zha earned $8.8 million in its eighth weekend, lifting its Chinese cume to an astonishing total of $712.6 million. The film is now the second-highest grossing film, animation or otherwise, in Chinese cinematic history.