‘Great Wall’ a hit in China

Associated Press

NEW YORK — “The Great Wall” was a hit in China. In North America, it was a dud.

The most expensive film ever made in China and with a budget of $150 million, “The Great Wall” was intended to prove that the world’s No. 2 movie marketplace could produce Hollywood-sized blockbusters of its own.

Although it ran up $171 million in ticket sales in China, “The Great Wall” pulled in $18.1 million in its North American debut over Presidents Day weekend, according to studio estimates Sunday.

That was good enough for third place, falling behind last weekend’s top two films, “The Lego Batman” and “Fifty Shades Darker.” The Warner Bros. animated release easily led the box office again with $34.2 million in its second week, sliding only 35 percent. Universal’s “Fifty Shades Darker” sold $21 million in tickets in its second week.

The erotic sequel continues to play well overseas, where it led international business with $43.7 million over the weekend.

Universal could still claim four of the top 10 films, the other two being “A Dog’s Purpose” ($5.6 million in its fourth week) and “Split” ($7 million in its fifth week), so far the top film of 2017.

Estimated ticket sales (in millions) for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to comScore. Final four-day domestic figures will be released Tuesday.

1. “The Batman Lego Movie” — $34.2

2. “Fifty Darker” — $21.0

3. “The Great Wall” — $18.1

4. “John Wick: Chapter 2” — $16.5 5. “Fist Fight” —$12.0 6. “Hidden Figures” — $7.1 7. “Split” — $7.0 8. “A Dog’s Purpose” — Shades $5.6 9. “La La Land” — $4.5 10. “A Cure for Wellness” — $4.2