Star Wars: The Force Awakens poster. [Photo/IC]

Star Wars: The Force Awakens continued to blast box office competition, ruling the week ending Jan 17 by taking 285.4 million yuan ($43.4 million).

The latest Star Wars sequel was released in theaters on the Chinese mainland on Jan 9.

Domestic animation Boonie Bears III was a respectable No 2 in the recording week, pulling in 104.8 million yuan after opening on Jan 16, China Film News reported on Thursday.

Domestic thriller Detective Chinatown came in third in the week, with 90.3 million yuan. The film opened on Dec 31.

Fourth place went to Royal Treasure, a domestic comedy-thriller that took 77.1 million yuan in the week. Starring famed director Huang Bo, Royal Treasure was released on Jan 15.

Rounding out the top five was The Last Witch Hunter, an American action-fantasy, with 61.7 million yuan. It also opened on Jan 15.

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