As of 12 Jan 2010, the film had grossed about $103 million compared to a domestic movie called Confucious which earned $5.6 million on opening weekend

Other movies such as 2012 have crushed it in China raking in $67.3 million in December.

Another big movie in China was Transformers in 2009 which was also very successful.

The Chinese government believes that their theatre owners should support the “expansion and development of the domestic film industry” over selling seats in movie theatres.

China is also violating long time World Trade Organization agreements by restricting music, movie and book imports from countries such as the US.

The 3D experience offered by Avatar has captivated Chinese audiences. The movie’s plot is also a familiar tone to Chinese free-thinkers.

China has it’s own propaganda machine, producing movies such as “The Founding of a Republic” that was the box office leader until the release of 2012 this year.

China recently asked that the 2D version of Avatar be removed from Chinese theatres.

The reason for 2D screenings being scrapped in China is a little unclear.

Movie theatre operators have said they were ordered to pull the version, though Zhang Hongsen, deputy head of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, denied that.

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