‘Lucy’ remains atop China box office; ‘Guardians’ nears $95 million

Imported films dominated the Chinese box office last week, with the Scarlett Johansson-starrer “Lucy” remaining on top for the second week in a row and “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” and “The Maze Runner” close behind.

“Lucy,” directed by Luc Besson, took in $16.4 million for the seven days ending Sunday, according to data from film industry consulting firm Artisan Gateway. Paramount Pictures’ “Ninja Turtles” was a close second, earning $15.1 million in its first weekend in theaters.

“Maze Runner” from 20^th Century Fox hit theaters Tuesday and pulled in $12.7 million in its first six days, an opening on par with “Divergent,” another young-adult novel adaptation that screened in China earlier this year.

In fourth place for the week was the domestic release “Kung Fu Jungle.” The Huayi Bros. film took in $8 million in its first weekend in theaters, Artisan said.

Rounding out the top 5 for the week was Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy,” which has now grossed nearly $95 million in China.

Year to date, China’ box office has now crossed the $4-billion mark and is on track to reach nearly $5 billion by year’s end. That compares with a 2013 total gross of about $3.6 billion.

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