This year’s most talked-about science fiction movie has just had its debut in the Chinese market. Dune generated a solid $21 million in China this past weekend.

The Chinese market has been rather unpredictable for movies this year. For instance, some Marvel movies that are usually big hits in Asia and South East Asia don’t even have a release date as of yet. Another example is the continued delay of flicks such as Daniel Craig’s last Bond film, No Time To Die.

On top of all that, the country applies a very strict lockdown on its citizens every time there is even a hint that a city or a region has been reinfected with the COVID-19 virus. Considering all the factors mentioned above, Dune did have a decently strong debut weekend. Though it wasn’t able to break any records or fly high above predictions it managed enough to not be considered a failure in the Chinese box office.

Generally speaking, Villeneuve’s films have done rather well in China. The Canadian director’s 2016 science-fiction movie Arrival grossed over $7.3 million on its release weekend and Blade Runner 2049 even made $7.6 million just one year after.

Dune has grossed over $220 million worldwide so far. It was released two weeks ago internationally but debuted in the United States and in China this past weekend.