China Box Office: ‘Jonny Keep Walking’ Retains Top Spot as ‘The Beekeeper’ Lands in Fourth

Fish out of water comedy film “Jonny Keep Walking” kept its place at the top of the mainland China box office in its third week of release. Two newcomers broke into the top five, comedy “Follow Bear for Action” and imported action title “The Beekeeper.”

“Jonny,” in which a man from the countryside struggles to hold down a corporate job in a big city, earned $19.7 million (140 million), according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway. That was another strong hold after an opening weekend of $26.1 million (on Dec. 29) and $22.4 million in its second frame. Its cumulative is now $109 million (RMB771 million).

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Hong Kong-made crime action film “The Goldfinger,” also held well. It earned $6.1 million, down from $8.5 million the previous weekend. As with “Jonny,” the Andy Lau and Tony Leung Chiu-wai-starring picture ranks higher than on its opening weekend. Since opening on Dec. 30, “The Goldfinger” now has a cumulative of $57 million.

The highest opener this weekend, “Follow Bear for Action” earned $5.1 million (RMB36.5 million). Set partially in a zoo, it stars Bao Bai Er, Song Xiao Feng, Pan Bin Long and Jia Bing. Film ticketing agency Maoyan forecasts that it will only reach RMB76 million in its theatrical career.

That total could be beaten by “The Beekeeper,” the Miramax-backed action film that opened in fourth place this weekend. It earned $4.5 million (RMB31.8 million), but Maoyan forecasts that it could reach RMB95 million. Its star Jason Statham, is one of the most recognized foreign actors in China and appeared last year in China-U.S. co-production “Meg 2: The Trench.”

“I Did It My Way,” another crime actioner from Hong Kong, again with Andy Lau, took fifth place over the latest weekend. It earned $2.7 million over the weekend, for a running total of $47.7 million since release on Dec. 29.

Outside of the top five, “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” concert movie has now passed the $10 million mark in Chinese cinemas. Maoyan gives a running total of RMB78.3 million since releasing on Dec. 31.

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