A still of actress Zhou Xun, who plays a ghost in the thriller "Huapi," or "Painted Skin." [Photo: nddaily.com]

Business boomed at city movie theaters during the week-long National Day holiday.

Shanghai United Cinema Lines, the city's dominant theater chain, took in 18.76 million yuan (US$2.75 million) during the holiday, up 150 percent from the same period last year.

"Painted Skin," a horror movie with a romantic twist, by award-winning Hong Kong director Gordon Chan, topped the chain's mainland box office take with 11.5 million yuan.

"At the Earth's Core," the first three-dimensional movie screened in China's mainland, grossed 3.66 million yuan.

"Connected," by Hong Kong director Benny Chan, and "Hui Buh: The Castle Ghost," a horror-comedy from Germany, ranked third and fourth in ticket sales over the holiday.