Led by ‘Mechanic: Resurrection,’ U.S. thrillers end Asian movies’ streak atop China’s box office

Reporting from Beijing — American thrillers elbowed out Asian competitors here last week, with a U.S. flop topping China’s box office.

“Mechanic: Resurrection,” the Chartoff-Winkler Productions suspense sequel to “Mechanic,” pulled in $19.1 million for the No. 1 spot. The crime film stars Jason Statham as a retired assassin forced to return to work to save the kidnapped woman he loves, played by Jessica Alba. The movie has grossed $44 million since it opened Oct. 21, according to film industry consulting firm Artisan Gateway.

Mystery thriller “Inferno,” another movie with assassins, raked in $12.8 million its first three days in Chinese theaters. The Columbia Pictures production features Tom Hanks and Felicity Jones, who attempt to stop a madman from unleashing a toxic virus on the world. This marks the third film drawn from Dan Brown’s book series, which includes “The Da Vinci Code” and “Angels & Demons.”

The American movies’ success capped a month in which Chinese films largely dominated the country’s box office.

“Operation Mekong, “a Hong Kong action film, started October in first place but dropped to third last week, with $9.3 million. The film centers on the murder of Chinese soldiers aboard a cargo ship, a tragedy known as the 2011 Mekong River massacre. The movie has accumulated an impressive $170 million since it opened at the end of September.

Chinese dark comedy “Mr. Donkey” earned $8.8 million in its first three days in theaters. Adapted from a play, the film tells the story of faculty at a rural school who attempt to cull funds from authorities by masquerading an illiterate coppersmith as the school’s English teacher.

DreamWorks Animation’s 3-D singalong “Trolls” took in $4.9 million over its weekend opening. The animated comedy, featuring the voices of Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick, revolves around two neon-haired creatures who try to save their village from troll eaters.