American movie "The Martian" topped the box office in China for the week ending Dec. 6, the last weekend before the December blackout period took effect, China Daily reported.
The big screen adaptation of Andy Weir's novel pulled in a hefty 172 million yuan ($26.6 million) for the whole week. The sci-fi hit features actor Matt Damon who portrayed an astronaut stranded on Mars.
Romantic comedy "Fall in Love Like a Star" fell on no. 2 spot, earning a total of 98 million yuan. The movie starring Li Yifeng and Yang Mi revolves around the love story of a famous celebrity and his talent agent.
Third place belongs to American-Chinese production "Point Break," which garnered 76 million yuan for the week. It is the last Hollywood movie released in China for 2015 before the December blackout period.
Incidentally, "Point Break" ruled the box office the following week, earning $18.8 million and bringing its total cumulative earnings to $30.7 million, according to Variety.
The movie's box-office performance was an advantage for DMG, which co-produced the film together with Alcon Entertainment. DMG's previous film "Transcendence" was a disappointment, reeling in only $21 million.
The stunts--and of course, the extreme sports--were the major selling point of "Point Break." Ticket sales for the movie were highest on weekdays than on the weekends, indicating that it was a hit with fans but not so much with a family audience.
The blackout period is a state-organized film scheduling that allows only Chinese films to be released. It is now in full effect and ends January 2016 when Hollywood films can once again be enjoyed in theaters.
Chinese moviegoers are excited for the Dec. 18 release of two movies: "Surprise" and "Mojin the Lost Legend."
"Surprise" did surprisingly well on its two-day weekend preview, earning $17.5 million next to "Point Break."
"Mojin the Lost Legend," which is adapted from the novel "Ghost Blows Out the Light," is expected to be one of the year's biggest blockbusters.