China box office: ‘Angry Birds’ rules the roost

“Angry Birds” soared to the top of China’s box office last week, outpacing Captain America and taking in $30.3 million in its first three days in theaters.

While the high-powered Marvel film was bested by some animated avians, “Captain America: Civil War” added another $22.8 million to its war chest, good enough for second place in the seven days ending Sunday. That brought its total haul on the mainland to $178.6 million, according to figures from film industry consulting firm Artisan Gateway.

Rovio Entertainment’s “Angry Birds,” adapted from the popular video game of the same name, earned an estimated $39 million over the weekend stateside, where it was released by Sony Pictures.

Opening in third place was “Allegiant,” the latest installment in the “Divergent” series. The sci-fi young adult novel adaptation took in $10.2 million in its first three days in Chinese cinemas.

Tying for fourth place were two Chinese-made films, “Song of the Phoenix” and the romance “Book of Love,” both of which earned $5.8 million for the week.

The art-house title “Song of the Phoenix,” the final film from acclaimed director Wu Tianming, has been gaining an audience after the film’s producer Fang Li, knelt down in public and begged theater operators for more screen time. The movie focuses on the master-and-apprentice relationship of two folk musicians.

Year to date, China’s box office receipts stand at $3.096 billion, Artisan said.