‘Doctor Strange’ rules China’s box office in opening weekend

Reporting from Beijing —  An American superhero film conquered the Chinese box office last weekend, pulling in more than twice the total cash of its closet rival.

“Doctor Strange, ” a Marvel Studios production staring Benedict Cumberbatch as a surgeon turned sorcerer, drew $44.4 million in its first three days, according to film industry consulting firm Artisan Gateway. The action film also dominated in the U.S., taking in $85 million during its same debut weekend.

The Chinese black comedy “Mr. Donkey” scooped up $11 million last week, far behind its first-place competitor but an impressive 27% rise since its previous weekend debut to reach $19.7 million. The film tells the story of a rural school that tries to glean funds from authorities by masquerading an illiterate coppersmith as its English teacher.

The domestic movie replaced Columbia Pictures’ “Inferno,” a mystery thriller featuring Tom Hanks that grossed $6.5 million. This brings the latest installment of the Dan Brown book series to $19.2 million in 10 days. It already has surpassed “The Da Vinci Code,” the first in the movie franchise, which earned the title of biggest imported film in 2006 at $15.8 million.

“Hide and Seek,” the Chinese adaption of a Korean suspense thriller, drew in $6 million its opening weekend despite dismal reviews.

Millennium Films’ “Mechanic: Resurrection” sank from the top spot in late October to fifth on Sunday, earning $5.7 million. The crime movie starring Jason Statham and Jessica Alba has grossed $49.6 million since its opening Oct. 21.

Jessica Meyers is a special correspondent