Coronavirus deals another blow to troubled China film industry

Lackluster Bangkok debut of Better Days signals tough times in 2020

A closed cinema in Hangzhou in east China's Zhejiang province on Jan. 27. The government has asked people to stay home as much as possible in response to the recent coronavirus outbreak. (FeatureChina via AP Images) © AP

JASON TAN, contributing writer

February 4, 2020 15:35 JST

BANGKOK -- The Chinese blockbuster movie "Better Days" reached Thai cinemas on Jan. 30, but it seems unlikely that one of China's top-grossing movies in 2019 will manage to sweep Thai audiences off their feet.

According to one website that monitors box office takes, "Better Days" pulled in just 75,000 baht ($2,400) in its opening days. Hollywood films "Dr Dolittle" and "Bad Boys for Life" both vastly outperformed it.