‘Mechanic: Resurrection’ tops the box office in China after flopping in the U.S.

On its third day of release in China, “Mechanic: Resurrection” unseated a Chinese action film for the top spot at the box office.

The crime thriller stars Jason Statham as an assassin chasing a man who kidnaps his paramour, played by Jessica Alba. In order to save her, he must complete a series of risky murder operations around the world.

A sequel to the 2011 “Mechanic,” “Mechanic: Resurrection” flopped at the North American box office but has grossed $24.9 million in China since Oct. 21, according to the film industry consulting firm Artisan Gateway.

The movie’s success comes after a month of Chinese films dominating at the box office. Its popularity in China may be due to Statham’s star power: His previous roles in “Fast & Furious” and “The Transporter” were also hits at the country’s box office.

Crime and action films took the next two spots.

“Operation Mekong,” which was No. 1 at the start of the month, dropped to second place with $19.1 million. Directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Dante Lam, the movie is a cinematic spin on the investigation into the 2011 Mekong River massacre, when 13 Chinese sailors were murdered on a cargo ship.

Coming in third was the Hong Kong crime drama “Heartfall Arises,” which brought in $12 million in its first week. Nicholas Tse and Sean Lau play a cop and a criminal psychologist, respectively, on the trail of serial killers.

Steven Spielberg’s “The BFG,” based on the Roald Dahl classic, was fourth with $6.7 million. In fifth place was “I Belonged to You,” a Chinese romantic comedy that grossed $5.97 million.