The films Infernal Affairs, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets and Hero have crushed 2001's Christmas blockbusters by grossing more than $100 million.
This season's top three movies, all released last month, have already reaped $102.53 million compared with the $86.55 million earned by Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone, Spirited Away and Dance of a Dream during their entire showing.
The current trio of films accounted for 11 per cent of 2002's movie earnings.
As of January 1, crime thriller Infernal Affairs, starring Andy Lau Tak-wah, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Eric Tsang Chi-wai and Anthony Wong Chau-sang had grossed $46.77 million, while Harry Potter had made $33.56 million. Hero has made $22.2 million in two weeks. Their success stands in contrast to box office figures that show movie revenues declined by 17 per cent, from $1.04 billion in 2001 to $862.6 million last year.
The director of the Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Territories Motion Picture Industry Association (MPIA), Peter Lam Yuk-wah, said the figures showed good movies were recession-proof. 'The movies shown during Christmas 2001 were just not as appealing,' he said.
The permanent honourary president of the Hong Kong Film Directors' Guild, Joe Cheung Tung-joe, agreed. 'In the first half of 2002, local film-makers wanted to save money by making low-quality films that were intended for video release,' he said. 'The success of the holiday films has proved that if you invest money in a theatrical production you will make money in return.'