‘Doctor Strange’ rules China’s box office in opening weekend

An American superhero film conquered the Chinese box office last weekend, pulling in more than twice the total cash of its closet rival.

“Doctor Strange, ” a Marvel Studios production staring Benedict Cumberbatch as a surgeon turned sorcerer, drew $44.4 million in its first three days, according to film industry consulting firm Artisan Gateway. The action film also dominated in the U.S., taking in $85 million during its same debut weekend.

The Chinese black comedy “Mr. Donkey” scooped up $11 million last week, far behind its first-place competitor but an impressive 27% rise since its previous weekend debut to reach $19.7 million. The film tells the story of a rural school that tries to glean funds from authorities by masquerading an illiterate coppersmith as its English teacher.

The domestic movie replaced Columbia Pictures’ “Inferno,” a mystery thriller featuring Tom Hanks that grossed $6.5 million. This brings the latest installment of the Dan Brown book series to $19.2 million in 10 days. It already has surpassed “The Da Vinci Code,” the first in the movie franchise, which earned the title of biggest imported film in 2006 at $15.8 million.

“Hide and Seek,” the Chinese adaption of a Korean suspense thriller, drew in $6 million its opening weekend despite dismal reviews.

Millennium Films’ “Mechanic: Resurrection” sank from the top spot in late October to fifth on Sunday, earning $5.7 million. The crime movie starring Jason Statham and Jessica Alba has grossed $49.6 million since its opening Oct. 21.

Jessica Meyers is a special correspondent