``The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe'' Releasing in China

BEIJING--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 22, 2005--"The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" will be released Spring 2006 in China it was announced by Mark Zoradi, President, Buena Vista International, Inc. (BVI).

Zoradi said, "It is a great honor for us to have the film accepted by China Film for release in China. It truly highlights the universal appeal of the film's story and how it is connecting with audiences worldwide. We have had tremendous success with our recent releases in China including 'National Treasure' and 'The Incredibles.' We are looking forward to continuing our relationship with China Films, with what is sure to be another huge box office success."

C.S. Lewis' timeless adventure follows the exploits of the four Pevensie siblings -- Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter -- in World War II England who enter the world of "Narnia" through a magical wardrobe while playing a game of 'hide-and-seek' in the rural country home of an elderly professor. Once there, the children discover a charming world inhabited by talking beasts, dwarfs, fauns, centaurs and giants that has become cursed to eternal winter by the evil White Witch, Jadis. Under the guidance of a noble and mystical ruler, the lion Aslan, the children fight to overcome the White Witch's powerful hold over "Narnia" in a spectacular, climactic battle that will free "Narnia" from Jadis' icy spell forever.

The film marks the first live-action directorial effort for New Zealander Andrew Adamson (the Oscar(R)-winning "Shrek," "Shrek 2"), who also co-wrote the screenplay adaptation with Emmy Award-winner Ann Peacock (HBO's "A Lesson Before Dying") and scribes Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely. The film is produced by Academy Award(R)-winning filmmaker Mark Johnson and Philip Steuer.

Since its December 8 opening, the film has earned $200M+ in global box-office receipts and has achieved numerous Walt Disney Studios box-office records. With the Christmas holidays just beginning, "Narnia" looks to re-write box-office history in numerous territories. The following are some key highlights:

North America

Posted the second biggest December opening in industry history earning $65.5M from 3,616 theaters and the industry's third biggest bow of 2005. Following this auspicious start "Narnia" has held exceptionally well ultimately crossing the $100M+ U.S. box-office mark in only nine days matching a TWDC company record for a live-action film. As of today "Narnia" has now earned more than $125M+ since beginning its domestic release on December 9th.

International Marketplace

Internationally "Narnia" has generated more than $85M since beginning its release on December 8 from only thirteen territories. Considering that the majority of these results were posted during the non-holiday play period, it is truly an exceptional performance. The following individual territory achievements are particularly noteworthy:

U.K.

Generated the biggest BVI UK of all-time surpassing Disney's/Pixar's "Finding Nemo's" debut by 20%.

SPAIN

Registered the fifth biggest opening in industry history (behind only "Torrente 3," "Harry Potter 4," "Star Wars 3" and "Lord of the Rings 3") and the biggest ever for a non-sequel. Setting a new high for BVI Spain eclipsing Disney's/Pixar's "Finding Nemo's" start by almost 30%.

MEXICO

Posted a new all-time high for BVI in the territory exceeding Disney's/Pixar's "Finding Nemo" by almost 30%.

NEW ZEALAND

Posted the biggest non-sequel debut ever, the best ever for BVI and the fourth biggest, sequel or non-sequel, of all-time.

MALAYSIA

After only two weeks of release, the film is now the biggest BVI release ever in this territory.

About Buena Vista International, Inc.

Buena Vista International, Inc. is the international theatrical distribution arm of The Walt Disney Studios. It is headquartered in Burbank, California with 27 offices worldwide.

About The Walt Disney Studios

Walt Disney Studios is a unit of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) and distributes motion pictures under Walt Disney Pictures -- which includes Walt Disney Feature Animation and DisneyToon Studios -- Touchstone Pictures, Hollywood Pictures and Miramax Films. Buena Vista International serves as the studio's international distribution arm. Buena Vista Home Entertainment and Buena Vista Home Entertainment International together distribute Disney and other film titles to the rental and sell-through home entertainment markets worldwide. Buena Vista Theatrical Productions is one of the largest producers of Broadway musicals, and the Buena Vista Music Group distributes original music and motion picture soundtracks under its four record labels: Walt Disney Records, Buena Vista Records, Hollywood Records and Lyric Street Records.