Chinese film distributors have postponed multiple Japanese movie releases this month, including highly anticipated titles like Crayon Shin-chan the Movie: Super Hot and Cells at Work, following a sharp decline in audience enthusiasm linked to recent political tensions. The decision comes after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's controversial remarks sparked widespread backlash among Chinese viewers, directly impacting the box office performance of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinite Castle.
While the Demon Slayer sequel initially drew strong crowds due to its established fanbase, ticket sales plummeted 72% within three days of Takaichi's statements, according to industry analysts. Distributors emphasized their commitment to market principles and sensitivity to viewer preferences when announcing the delays.
The Chinese mainland's film market remains a global powerhouse, with 2025 box office revenue reaching 45.54 billion yuan ($6.4 billion) as of November 16. Domestic productions continue to dominate, accounting for 88.48% of total earnings – marking the third time in history that locally produced films have surpassed the 40-billion-yuan milestone.
Industry observers note the postponements highlight growing public awareness of cultural diplomacy in entertainment consumption. The delayed Japanese films will undergo revised marketing strategies, though no new release dates have been confirmed.
