Terminator Genisys tops China's box office, making 526 million yuan ($82 million) since its premiere on Aug 23. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The fact that Schwarzenegger, peaking physically in the first two films but aging in the reboot, makes his fans sigh over his gray hair and relatively slow movements.

Unlike other Hollywood franchises such as 007 and Batman, which replace the lead actor every five or more years, Terminator has featured Schwarzenegger for 31 years.

Trade analysts tell China Daily the movie's mainland success is thanks to nostalgia, good timing and Chinese moviegoers' preference for sci-fi themes.

"Whether he was the superstar in Hollywood or California governor, Schwarzenegger is always a hero on screen for Chinese fans," says Zheng Ye, filmmaking department head at the Shanghai-based Fundmental Films. "The nostalgic take draws more viewers in their 30s or early 40s to the cinemas."

China has just concluded a two-month box-office season dominated by domestic movies, which makes the market hungry for Hollywood blockbusters.

Regulators have designated July and August as "protective months" for homegrown titles, during which foreign blockbusters are deferred, according to domestic media reports.

"The ticket buyers are hungry for big explosions, car chases and other action scenes. It's good timing to satisfy such requirements," Zheng says.