"The Martian" had a solid opening at the Chinese box office on Wednesday, Nov. 25, as it was able to garner $5.91 million. It gained another $1 million the next day, which led to its successful debut of acquiring $6.91 million.
However, the numbers still fell short compared to the record breaking opening of the movie "Spectre" as it was able to get a total of $80.7 million after 13 days of screening. "Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2" currently stands at $19.6 million, six days after its opening. "Mockingjay" may be taken down by "The Martian" as it continually peaks up its ticket sales. By 5 pm on Thursday, "The Martian adds another $1.7 million in ticket sales, which makes a total of $7.68 million, according to Variety.
Chinese space officials play a significant role in the movie, which could also influence the interest of viewers to the film, THE WRAP reported. In the movie, the China National Space Administration offers NASA a lifeline that could carry a payload to Mars.
Ridley Scott's space epic has also gained much success in its domestic and international markets. "The Martian" has already gained $140 million ticket sales domestically and $188 million internationally with $26 million in the U.K. And $22 million in South Korea. It also opened in France, which leaves China and Japan to get more gross sales. The movie is expected to cross $200 million this weekend.
"The Maritan" which stars Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain and Chiwetel Ejiofor, is about Mark Watney, who his crew thought to have died and left behind on Mars. But unknowingly he survived and crash-landed on Mars. The film is based on the 2011 novel by Andy Weir with the same title.
