'Astro Boy' breaks records in China

HONG KONG, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- "Astro Boy" set a new opening weekend box-office record in China for a CG-animated movie, its producers

Imagi International Holdings announced.

Industry estimates indicate since opening last Friday on approximately 1,100 screens across China, "Astro Boy" has recorded $5.9 million in box-office receipts, topping the weekend box office chart and setting a new mark for the opening weekend box office of a CG-animated feature film on the Mainland.

That record was previously held by "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs," which had an opening gross of $4.4 million.

"We are absolutely delighted that 'Astro Boy' has received such a warm welcome in China, a major market for the film industry," C.K. Phoon, executive deputy chairman at Imagi, said in a statement Monday. "'Astro Boy's' stunning start proves that Imagi has what it takes to produce a blockbuster, and we look forward to 'Astro Boy's' continued success around the globe."

In North America, "Astro Boy" opened at No. 6 taking in an estimated $7 million last weekend.