‘Doctor Strange’ and other foreign films dominate China’s box office

Reporting from Beijing — Foreign films dominated the top three spots at China’s box office last week, with the Hollywood superhero film “Doctor Strange” topping the chart for the second week running.

“Doctor Strange,” produced by Marvel Studios, racked up $39.7 million last week, according to film industry consulting firm Artisan Gateway, bringing its 10-day total to $83.8 million.

TriStar and Studio 8’s “Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk,” starring Joe Alwyn and Kristen Stewart, claimed the No. 2 spot after opening last Friday with $11.8 million in receipts. The Taiwanese director Ang Lee’s film has received good reviews from Chinese moviegoers, reflected in its 8.5 of 10 score on Douban, a Chinese fan-rating site.

Third place went to “One Piece Film Gold,” a Japanese fantasy animation that brought in about $10.3 million in ticket sales. The film, which opened last Friday, is the latest in the 13-part “One Piece” film series, and the first to be released in China’s cinemas. The film will have a limited theatrical release in North America in January.

Two Chinese films rounded out the top five spots. Friday opener “Scandal Maker,” staring Tong Dawei and Chen Yanxi, brought in $5.1 million. The film is adapted from the South Korean film “Scandal Makers,” released in 2008.

The Chinese dark comedy “Mr. Donkey,” produced by Beijing-based studio Happy Mahua Pictures, earned $4.3 million, bringing its 10-day total to $24 million.

China’s box office has grossed $6 billion in 2016, up from $5.6 billion in the same period last year, according to Artisan Gateway.