The new crime thriller "Cold War 2" won the weekend box office competition in China and Hong Kong. The movie reportedly earned $690,000 on its opening on July 8, beating Stephen Chow's "Mermaid," which garnered $670,000 when it opened during the Lunar New Year holiday.

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"Cold War 2" has been one of the most talked-about films following its announcement. It is the continuation of the 2012 film released under the same name.

"Cold War 2" broke records in the Hong Kong and Chinese box offices, earning more than $600,000 on Friday, and later taking home an estimated amount of $970,000 in Hong Kong on Saturday. The movie surpassed yet another one of Stephen Chow's films, "Kung Fu Hustle."

On the other hand, in China, "Cold War 2" is said to have bagged $15 million on its opening day. The movie is now considered the highest-grossing crime thriller in China, and is also the first film under its genre to surpass $15 million mark, according to Jaynestars.

The movie continued to thrive in the box office throughout the whole weekend in China. "Cold War 2" earned $44 million in the country since its opening, and finished on the number one spot in the weekend box office.

Longman Leung and Sunny Luk, the directors of "Cold War 2," have expressed their gratitude to viewers for the good reception of the film.

"Cold War 2" features the original cast of the first film including Aaron Kwok, who played the lead role of Sean Lau, and Tony Leung, who played the part of Kwok's rival, Waise Lee.

In the movie, Leung's character finds himself in trouble after his wife is kidnapped.

The film also sees the return of Charlie Young, Aarif Rahman, and Eddie Peng. Also in the mix are new cast members Janice Man and international actor Chow Yun Fat. 

TagsCold War 2, Aaron Kwok, tony leung