Musicals and gaming films dominate the lineup of foreign films hitting Chinese cinema screens post lunar new year holidays.
One of the more contemporary Spring Festival traditions celebrated in China is the foreign film blackout period that descends upon Chinese cinemas each lunar year to halt the onslaught of Hollywood flicks and give local films the inside track.
But, now that the holiday season is behind us, films from Hollywood and elsewhere are once again welcome in China, and in February musicals and films based on video games are the main themes.
Undoubtedly the most anticipated foreign film to make it to China in February is La La Land (爱乐之城), which hits cinemas on Valentine’s Day, February 14 — just in time to coincide with the backlash against the backlash to the modern day musical.
Staying on the musical theme, the other feature worth catching, especially with kids in tow, is Sing (欢乐好声音), the animated musical from the same people behind Despicable Me. That comes out in a couple of weeks on Friday, February 17.
Films based on video games also get a bit of a look-in during the month with Assassin’s Creed (刺客信条) coming out on February 24 and also possibly Resident Evil: The Final Chapter (生化危机6：终章).
The sixth and final installment of the Resident Evil franchise already hit screens in North America on January 27. Now that pirated copies are already being circulated online, the film’s producers will be wanting it to come out in China ASAP.
The film’s official Weibo account posted weeks ago that it had passed the censors, but we’re still waiting on its final release date. Some fans have been sharing pictures of their local cinema schedules as well as posters for the film that mark it in for Friday, February 17.
But before any of the above hit screens, xXx: Return of Xander Cage (极限特工), makes its debut, this Friday February 10. The Vin Diesel action blockbuster, also includes Hong Kong actor, Donnie Yen and Chinese actor Kris Wu. It will have a wide release 3D, IMAX3D and China Film Giant Screen formats.
