China has finally put an end to its annual summer hiatus period wherein Hollywood films are not allowed to be shown in mainland theaters.

Typically, China restricts Hollywood films from entering the Chinese market three times in a year, including Chinese New Year, mid-Summer, and December. The policy, which is known locally as a "domestic movie protection period," aims to ensure that local titles can make money during these peak seasons without Hollywood competition.

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However, there have been some changes this year after China box office experienced a slowdown in the second quarter of this year for the first time in more than half a decade. And because of this, Chinese regulators have reconsidered the summer blackout.

"Nothing is absolute, clearcut," a senior distribution executive told the Variety. "It will always be subject to adjustments, revisions, and interpretations."

Supposedly, Independence Day: Resurgence released last June 24 would have been the last Hollywood movie to the market. However, following the unprecedented initiative, Paramount's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows and Warner Bros.' The Legend of Tarzan will hit Chinese big screens on July 2 and July 19, respectively. Furthermore, Universal's The Secret Life of Pets and Ice Age: Collision Course will be out of August 2 and August 23, respectively.

"There are two stats that matter to the people who make these decisions," an executive in Beijing told The Hollywood Reporter. "One is the market share of foreign films versus local movies, and the other is the overall growth rate at the end of the year - the second stat is probably slightly more important."

Tagschina, summer blackout, domestic movie protection period, Hollywood Films