Fifth Weekend Win for ‘Successor’ Pushes China Box Office Total to $420 Million

For the fifth consecutive week, “Successor” has remained the top film at the mainland China box office, while “Deadpool & Wolverine” has fallen out of the top five during its third weekend.

Between Friday and Sunday, “Successor” amassed RMB179 million ($25.2 million), according to Artisan Gateway. Since its release on July 16, the film has accumulated a total of $420 million, making it the highest-grossing film of the summer and the fourth highest-grossing film of the year in China. However, its most recent victory was achieved by a slim margin.

In second place, “Upstream,” produced by Ruyi Films, earned $23.4 million in its opening weekend, securing the top position on Friday’s daily chart. With previews included, its cumulative total stands at $25.8 million.

Directed by Xu Zheng and Tong Zhi-jian, the film narrates the inspiring journey of a former tech executive who reinvents himself as a food delivery driver after losing his job. Meanwhile, Lightchaser Animation’s “White Snake: Afloat” generated $19.3 million in just two days following its Saturday release.

“Decoded,” which had been in second place, has dropped to fourth with a weekend earnings of $7.3 million, bringing its total to $40.8 million since its August 3 release.

Dirty Monkey’s romantic comedy-drama “Land of Broken Hearts” opened with $6.9 million over two days. Produced by Ning Hao and directed by Wen Shipao, the film explores a man’s journey from believing he’s trapped in a movie to discovering love after a mysterious woman’s arrival and disappearance.

“Deadpool & Wolverine” earned an estimated $4.09 million, with a cumulative total of $55.4 million, making it one of the stronger Hollywood films this year, surpassing “Despicable Me 4,” which earned $44 million and was the top import title in July.

Artisan Gateway reports that the weekend box office across China reached $93.5 million, bringing the total for the year to $4.35 billion, 19% behind last year’s figures. The firm also noted a weaker July with $758 million, the second-highest month of the year, but 45% less than July of the previous year. The summer season has seen several local films with star power, including “Customs Frontline,” “A Legend,” and “The Traveller,” fail to perform well.