Mainland Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 raked in about HK$5.6 million (US$720,620) upon its debut in Hong Kong on Saturday, with some screenings for the following day already sold out.
Children with parents in tow joined other residents in lines outside cinemas across the city, while several patriotic groups organised private screenings to support what has become the highest-grossing film to emerge from China, surpassing US$1.8 billion in ticket sales worldwide since its release last month.
The state-run China Central Television reported a total of more than 800 screenings of the film in Hong Kong and Macau on Saturday.
Three afternoon screenings at the MCL Cheung Sha Wan cinema were sold out, while only a few tickets for other times remained. Several screenings at CineArt House in Causeway Bay were also boasting full houses.
Sai Kung district councillor Christine Fong Kwok-shan organised three private screenings for residents. The roughly 800 tickets she bought were quickly snapped up, and many of those who attended were parents with children.
