As the coronavirus begins to subside in China and the country begins lifting restrictions on its citizens, the government has reopened over 500 movie theaters.
State media CGTN reported that 486 theaters were open this past Friday, while financial publication Caixin said the number had risen to 507 on Monday. Despite the good news, this represents only 5% of cinemas in the country.
Most of the venues opened up in five provinces: Xinjiang, Shangdong, Sichuan, and two Hong Kong-bordering regions Fujian and Guangdong. Fujian and Guangdong reported no tickets sales, with total revenue for Friday adding up to less than $2,000.
Many of the releases in theaters were re-runs of recent and popular Chinese films such as the 2019 Chinese crime thriller Sheep Without A Shepherd along with previously-announced films American Dreams in China, Wolf Totem, Wolf Warrior 2, The Wandering Earth and Capernaum. The only new release was the animated film Spycies.
Releases coming in the next few weeks include the China-New Zealand co-production Into The Rainbow. Warner Bros. also teased the re-release of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in order to jumpstart the industry and provide financial relief. Green Book and A Dog's Purpose are also rumored to be on the shortlist.
(Via Variety.)