(Photo: China Daily)

"The Wandering Earth", considered China's first major science fiction movie, has grossed nearly $30.3 million since it first hit Chinese theatres on Feb. 5, becoming one of the leading money-makers at the Chinese box office.

Set in an apocalyptic future, the story revolves around the imminent explosion of the sun, which prompts humanity to attempt to propel planet earth outside of the solar system to find a new celestial home in deep space with China playing a key leadership role in world affairs by helping to drive the survival mission.

Directed by Guo Fan and starring Chinese action hero Wu Jing, “The Wandering Earth” has been four years in the making and cost around $50 million to produce.

"The Wandering Earth" has attracted attention both at home and abroad for being China’s first big-budget sci-fi blockbuster.

The film is seen as representing the dawning of a new era in Chinese filmmaking, according to the New York Times.

The preliminary reviews of the special effects, measured against Hollywood’s, have been positive, the newspaper reported.

"The Wandering Earth" has a never-seen-before element in its storyline; it looks highly stylized, even beyond Hollywood standards at times, according to News 18.com, an Indian media outlet.

It seems Director Guo Fan has shown his true mettle in translating the short novel into cinema, it said. 

The Wandering Earth will this week open to a limited release outside of China in countries including the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.