Lionsgate’s behemoth has amassed close to $620m worldwide and will open in dubbed and subtitled versions through The China Film Group in association with Lionsgate’s promotional partner Talent International.

The action saga will open in the first half of June and becomes one of the first Hollywood films to open under the Blockbuster revenue sharing deal announced in February allowing Western distributors to collect up to 25% of a film’s receipts in China.

”The Hunger Games juggernaut continues to gain momentum around the world, and we’re thrilled that we can now share the exciting first installment of The Hunger Games franchise with Chinese moviegoers in June,” Lionsgate Motion Picture Group co-chairs Patrick Wachsberger and Rob Friedman said.

“China is already one of the leading territories at the international box office, and the launch of The Hunger Games in this key market is another sign of the franchise’s continuing emergence as a truly global phenomenon.”

“We view China as an increasingly important market for our content in Asia,” said Wendy Reeds, evp of content sales and distribution for Celestial Tiger Entertainment, Lionsgate’s joint venture with Saban Capital Group and Astro’s Celestial Pictures in Asia. 

“The Chinese box office grew by more than 30% last year to over $2bn, and The Hunger Games’ approval for nationwide release in China is a major step in translating the enormous commercial potential of this huge market into reality.”

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