Note: US$ rate is based on exchange rate at time of writing

After underwhelming performances by three domestic releases over the Qingming holiday, Chinese cinemas were looking to Ghost in the Shell to liven things up this weekend.

As a sign of confidence, the Hollywood sci-fi remake of the Japanese anime received approximately 38.8% of all screenings over the weekend. However, it only earned a modest RMB148 million (US$21.4 million) from approximately 4.11 million admissions over three days.

Three years ago, Lucy opened with RMB130 million (US$18.8 million) over three days for a total of RMB278 million (US$40.2 million). However, the Luc Besson film saw better per-screening average attendance than Ghost.

With the new Fast & Furious film dominating cinemas this weekend, it’s hard to predict whether Ghost will overtake Lucy’s Chinese gross at the end of its run.

Retaining 17.6% of all screenings, Kong: Skull Island dropped to second place with RMB77.3 million (US$11.2 million) between Friday and Sunday. The Legendary production has made RMB1.11 billion (US$161 million) after 17 days of release.

Alec Su’s The Devotion of Suspect X (嫌疑人X的獻身) dropped to third place, earning RMB64.2 million (US$9.29 million) between Friday and Sunday with a screening share of 15.6%. The Enlight release has made RMB364 million (US$52.7 million) after 10 days of release.

With only approximately 2.94% of screenings, Hong Kong drama Mad World (一念無明) earned only RMB3.82 million (US$553,000) from approximately 112,000 admissions. In a rare exception, the Bona-distributed film was able to be released nationwide in its native Cantonese version.

Another film in the Hong Kong government’s First Film Initiative, Weeds On Fire (點五步) was also released this weekend, but concise weekend numbers are not available. Both films picked up multiple award at the Hong Kong Film Awards this past weekend.

Extraordinary Mission (非凡任務) has earned RMB141 million (US$20.4 million). The Missing (綁架者) has made RMB88.87 million (US$12.9 million). Beauty and the Beast has made RMB587.49 million (US$85.1 million).

In addition to The Fate of the Furious, A Nail Clipper Romance (指甲刀人魔), My Egg Boy (我的蛋男情人) and a remastered version of A Chinese Odyssey Part Two: Cinderella (西遊記完結篇仙履奇緣) also open this week.