China's Lunar New Year box office sales hit $832 million

China's box office sales exceeded 5.75 billion yuan ($832.37 million) over the nine-day Lunar New Year holiday period that ended on Monday, state news agency Xinhua reported on Tuesday.

Xinhua cited data from the China Film Administration.

The racing comedy sequel "Pegasus 3" emerged as the highest-grossing film of the season, Xinhua said.

Last year, China's box office generated record sales during the Lunar New Year holiday, boosted by sequels to popular hit films.

Box office sales reached 9.51 billion yuan during the festive period between January 28 and February 4 last year.

($1 = 6.9080 Chinese yuan renminbi)

-Liz Lee and Shanghai newsroom/Reuters