China Breaks Box Office Record on Spring Festival with 1.805 Billion Yuan
On Wednesday, during the joyous celebrations of the Spring Festival, also known as the Chinese New Year, China's daily box office soared to an unprecedented 1.805 billion yuan ($249 million). This remarkable achievement sets a new record for the country's film industry.
According to the China Film Administration (CFA), the number of moviegoers on that day reached an astonishing 35.15 million, surpassing previous records set during the 2021 Chinese New Year. Both box office revenue and attendance figures highlight the robust recovery and growing enthusiasm for cinema among Chinese audiences.
The Spring Festival holiday, which runs from January 28 to February 4 this year—one day longer than previous years—is traditionally one of China's most lucrative periods for movie releases. This year's lineup features six domestic films that debuted on Wednesday, spanning genres from Chinese mythology and wuxia—martial arts and chivalry—to comedy, fantasy, animation, and drama.
Analysts at Huajin Securities noted that the diverse range of genres caters to various audience tastes, contributing to the strong box office performance. Many of these films are installments in well-established franchises with solid reputations and large fan bases, further driving ticket sales.
Since December last year, the CFA has encouraged relevant institutions to allocate approximately 600 million yuan in moviegoing consumption subsidies. Analysts believe this initiative aims to unlock the full consumption potential of moviegoers, providing a significant boost to the film industry.
Looking ahead, Kaiyuan Securities predicts that total box office takings will see a 6.7 percent year-on-year increase, reaching 8.54 billion yuan during the 2025 Spring Festival holiday. This optimistic forecast underscores the sustained growth and vitality of China's film market.
Reference(s):
China sees new daily box office revenue record during Spring Festival
cgtn.com
