China Box Office: ‘Resident Evil’ Reigns for Fourth Week as ‘John Wick’ Opens in Third

Constantin Film and Sony Pictures’ horror reboot “Resident Evil” held the top spot at the mainland China box office for the fourth straight weekend, earning RMB28.5 million ($4.3 million) from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1, according to Artisan Gateway. The video game adaptation has now grossed a cumulative RMB1.13 billion ($170 million) since its Oct. 5 release during the Golden Week holiday, cementing its status as one of the year’s biggest Hollywood imports. The 2014 action thriller “John Wick,” starring Keanu Reeves, debuted in third place with RMB12.4 million ($1.9 million), a modest start for the cult favorite that has since spawned a successful franchise. Local Chinese films continued to perform steadily, with the patriotic blockbuster “The Battle at Lake Changjin” remaining in second place, adding RMB26.8 million ($4 million) to its record-breaking run. Industry analysts note that “Resident Evil” has benefited from strong brand recognition among Chinese gamers and a lack of major local competition in the horror genre. Its four-week reign underscores the enduring appeal of well-known IP when paired with China-friendly marketing and release timing. With several high-profile local releases slated for November, the box office landscape may shift, but “Resident Evil” has already secured its place as a standout success in a challenging year for imported films.