‘Aftershock,’ China’s domestic box-office champ, finds a way to U.S. theaters

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

‘Aftershock,’ China’s highest-grossing domestic film of all time, has found a way into U.S. theaters. The movie, which played at the Toronto International Film Festival, will open at selected AMC theaters across the country Friday. Earlier this month, China Lion Film Distribution announced a partnership with AMC Entertainment to introduce mainstream Chinese films to American audiences.

Directed by one of the country’s most popular directors, Feng Xiaogang, ‘Aftershock’ revolves around the aftermath of the massive 1976 Tangshan earthquake.

Made for $20 million, which is a big budget by Chinese cinema standards, ‘Aftershock’ was released in 5,000 standard and 14 IMAX theaters this summer in China. By August, it had outgrossed ‘The Founding of a Republic’ to become the most successful Chinese film with nearly $80 million in ticket sales. (‘Avatar’ remains the all-time king of the Chinese box office, with more than $200 million in sales.) ‘Aftershock’ is also China’s official entry in the foreign-language Oscar category.

Locally, ‘Aftershock’ will be playing in Arcadia, the City of Industry, Monterey Park and Tustin. Watch the trailer below.

-- Susan King