Chinese cinemas have made 4.2 billion yuan (610 million US dollars) at the box office in the first five months of 2010.

According to the statistic released by the State Administration of Radio Film and Television, the box office gross in the first five months of 2010 has already equaled the entire yearly gross of 2008.

"Avatar" which was released in January and is still playing in some Chinese IMAX cinemas has contributed 1.3 billion yuan (190 million US dollars). In second place is the Chinese kung fu blockbuster "Ip Man 2" which has earned 225 million yuan (33 million US dollars) at the box office.

Chinese director Feng Xiaogang's 3D film "After Shock," based on the 7.8 magnitude earthquake which hit Tangshan - a city about 100 miles southeast of Beijing in 1976, will be released on July 28. Feng said he's confident his film will make about 500 million yuan (73 million US dollars) at the box office.

"There's no low season for this year's film market. We expect year-end box office revenues to hit 10 billion yuan (US$ 1.5 billion)." said Qing Qiu, assistant General Manager of Shenzhen China Film South Cinema Circuit Co., Ltd.