China’s Theatrical Box Office Booming After Slowdown
After experiencing a major slowdown in 2024, China’s theatrical box office is now experiencing a significant resurgence. Since the start of the Chinese New Year holiday on Jan. 29, ticket sales revenue in the country has reached a total of $978 million, marking a 27.3 percent increase compared to the same period last year.
One of the major contributors to this success is Enlight Pictures’ animated sequel, Nezha 2. Directed by Yu Yang, the film has already raked in $434 million and is poised to surpass the war film The Battle at Lake Changjin ($913 million) as China’s highest-grossing blockbuster of all time. Ticketing app Maoyan predicts that Nezha 2 could reach as high as $944 million (6.8 billion RMB), building on the success of the first Nezha film, which became China’s top animated hit in 2019 with a performance of $699.3 million.
Other notable films making waves at the box office include Wanda Pictures’ Detective Chinatown 1900, which opened in second place with $253.1 million, Beijing Culture’s Creation of the Gods sequel with $124.3 million, and Fantawild’s Boonie Bears: Future Reborn with $57.9 million.
The strong performance of these films during the holiday season is a welcome sign for the Beijing film industry, which struggled with a 25 percent drop in annual ticket revenue in 2024, totaling $5.8 billion. Many industry insiders expressed concerns about the future of the theatrical model following last year’s dismal performance.
On the bright side, giant screen operator Imax is celebrating a successful holiday season in China. The company reported sales of $38.1 million in the first five days of the Chinese New Year, surpassing its previous record of $34 million in 2023. With two days left in this year’s week-long holiday, Imax is on track for even greater success.
In summary, China’s theatrical box office is bouncing back with impressive numbers, showcasing the resilience and appeal of the country’s film industry.
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